How to get IT (the workout that is) all in

Oh my gosh, I've been completely MIA.  I apologize.  Life just got really REALLY crazy.  I'm going to attempt to have this be an organized post, however my brain is pretty much near mush at the moment.  So if this seems disorganized, I'm sorry.

So I started school on Monday.  My world has been turned upside down.  How am I going to fit it all in?  That is the million dollar question.  Not only is my program intense, I commute an hour via train (really a blessing more than anything b/c I can study on the train), and I'm far away from my babies.  So while my 'duty' day length wise hasn't really gotten too much longer [yet], when I arrive back to West Point after class to pick up my kids from daycare I feel like it's been FOREVER.  Other than the fact that this first class we are taking is hard and a ton of information, the other mental issue I'm trying to come to grips with is my time management with the kids.  The 'study' hours of 1700-2100 are lost time for m b/c I'm with my kids.  Hence why I need to study on the train as much as possible.  After they go to bed, I plop down to study, but it can only last so long until I need to turn the lights out and hit the bed.

On day one, my biggest stress was figuring out when to workout.  Thankfully, Matt built a nice home gym in our garage.  Do I get up and exercise at 0430 in the morning?  Do I do it late at night when I should be studying?  I ended up not finding time to workout on Monday and this stressed me for Tuesday.  Now I've missed a workout...not a good way to start!  I made it a point to come straight home after class and workout right away.  This made picking up the kids not so stressful, thus my evening not so stressful b/c that was already checked off my list.

What did I workout yesterday?

I needed something quick, so I chose a Crossfit metcon.

Warm up 1-mile slow pace 8:30
WOD:
Complete as many rounds in 20 minutes of
18 box jumps
15 toes to bar
12 pull ups

I completed 4 1/2 rounds.

After the WOD, I worked on my dead lift.  I didn't focus on heavy weight as it has been a good minute since I worked on dead lift (maybe a couple weeks).  So I did:
3 sets x 5 reps @ 135lbs

Next, I hopped on our rings to practice muscle ups.  I am nowhere near able to do an actual muscle up yet.  However, Matt recently showed me how to start practicing them using a resistance band to get the muscle memory and motion down.  Some day....

Total workout time was only 40 minutes.  I was able to hop in the shower, change, and get the kids by 1630, which was my goal!  We enjoyed a late afternoon/early evening of kicking the ball in the backyard and eating spaghetti for dinner.  Love my babies!

This morning I hit the road on my road bike for a decent length ride (not sure distance as my little machine is broken, but we rode for 90 minutes on some hills) with a friend at 0600.  Since I have the West Point triathlon in August, and hopefully at least one more before then, I like to attempt to get in a ride once per week and hopefully a swim.  But the swimming might have to start next week.  Baby steps.  

Bottom line is, I'm not sure how I'm going to fit it all in.  I HAVE TO WORKOUT!  There are just no other options in life.  I might have to shift my workout days.  Typically in my old life, I always took off Saturday and Sunday.  Now those might have to be guaranteed workout days given my schedule.

My pictures don't have much to do with fitness and everything to do with the two extensions of my heart that live outside my body...

Bear with me as I adjust.  I usually take my time writing blog posts.  I like no distractions, no kids, and no rushing.  I think I need to learn to become a speed blogger, otherwise it probably just won't happen.

If any of you are starting the Jamie Eason Livefit program through www.bodybuilding.com, let me know!  If you have questions, please ask. 

Why I think the Jamie Eason 12-week LiveFit trainer works

I've been meaning to write this blog for a while now.  I want to give a detailed and honest explanation why I think the Jamie Eason 12-week trainer from www.bodybuilding.com works (www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-eason-livefit-trainer.html).  If you don't know who Jamie Eason is, look her up.  I think her physique is amazing.

Do you want to lose weight but aren't sure where to start?  Have you been doing cardio [only] and aren't seeing the results you want?  Do you think you eat healthy?  Do you avoid the weight section of the gym b/c you don't know what to do in there?  Do you need someone else to design a program for you?  Do you need a detailed meal plan? 

I like this program b/c I feel like no matter if your goals are weight loss, weight gain, definition, tone, lean out, this program can help you get there. 

I have had female friends tell me all the time that they just don't know what to do in the weight room.  You probably just end up doing cardio session after cardio session and really aren't getting anywhere.  In case you were wondering, weight training promotes the burning of fat far better and quicker than cardio.  So what does this mean to you?  If you have some sort of goal you aren't reaching by doing whatever it is you are doing, it's probably time to try something else. 

I'm going to try to make my thoughts on this program as simple as possible with a list.  We all like lists.

1) The program is already designed for you.  All 90 days. 
2) It's free.
3) There are exercise descriptions through photos AND if you still don't get it.  Watch the video.  Dumby proof!  If you still don't understand an exercise, ask a gym worker.  They will NOT think you are dumb. 
4) If your gym doesn't have a certain machine, there are alternate exercises listed.
5) You don't like cardio?  Well, terrific there is NO cardio in the first 30 days.
6) You get bored with the same old routine.  Terrific again.  You only stick in a similar routine for two weeks at most before you move on and every day is different.
7) You have no clue what to eat.  Lucky you, the program has a detailed shopping list and meal plan.
8) You aren't creative with recipes.  Luck strikes again, there is a recipe section for the trainer.  (www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-eason-livefit-recipes-main-page.html).  Once you get the hang of clean eating, you will find picking things out and meal planning to be so much easier.
9) I think this is a perfect beginner program for people who want to get fit.  After the program you will feel stronger and have the foundation to continue weight lifting, working out, and living healthy.  It doesn't mean that you have to continue doing the program over and over.  You can now probably start to try new things b/c of your new found strength.  But remember, this is just the beginning.  You can still get EVEN stronger!
10) You don't need a workout partner or personal trainer to do this!  Think of the website as your workout partner/trainer.  Due to my schedule, I workout by myself.  I don't dislike working out with others, but this is what fit with my life.  This is completely doable alone.  If you need support and motivation, I'll add you to my LiveFit facebook page where you will find ladies all throughout the program.  We share recipes, good days, bad days, soreness, you name it.  We can be your workout partners.  :)

If after all this, you do the trainer, and aren't satisfied with your results, my first question to you will be....

• Did you really follow the meal plan to a "T?"

My next question would be....

• Did you challenge yourself when you lifted?  

Meaning, how hard did you push yourself?  Was the weight you lifted easy or hard?  B/c it should be hard, or challenging rather, if you want to see results.  You should feel sore after each workout.  There are rest days built into each week for recovery.  

I get a lot of the same questions about the trainer.  Do I take the supplements?  Can I still do cardio in phase 1?  Did you really follow the meal plan?  If I get a lot of those same questions after I post this and there are people interested, then I'll write posts on those topics.

If you already workout and like your workout plan but have been wanting to change your diet, the meal plan and grocery list from the trainer are a great place to start.  I have been done with the trainer since April, but I continue with the meal plan on a daily basis and probably will forever.  

Why not start living a healthier life?  I promise you will not be disappointed.