Sitting on the couch, having lunch, flipping through TV channels, I came across an infomercial for Insanity 60 day workout – it’s like they could see me stuffing my face on the couch… Have I been living under a rock? I know my friends recommended it, but they never mentioned it looked so good! Being a health freak and all (read, ‘tries to exercise and eat healthy, but usually fails’), I had a ‘brilliant’ idea, I could call now and get a DVD box for three easy payments of $39.99. More importantly, no more p90x. Or on a second thought, I’ll just borrow the DVDs from a friend. Move over Tony Horton, I have a new trainer to hate, Shaun T. While playing all tough and having the ‘watch me do it’ attitude, I am very intimidated. “Circuit training? Do as many as you can in a given period of time? Fast?” All I can think of now is consuming gross recovery drinks and the pain. First week… will be insane! Already not looking forward to it. To get myself mentally and physically prepared the game plan as follows:
In the next two weeks
1. get over my cold, stop coughing, and give lungs some time to recover
2. get back to stretching and yoga
3. take the BEFORE photo (’cause its all about the t-shirt) and do some proper measurements, not “My jeans are falling off” type of a deal
Technically, by the end of March I should be in the ‘best shape of my life’ as the infomercial claims. Another Mexican vacation in April, anyone? I’ll definitely stick with the program, just cause I’m stubborn like that (and there is a free dinner on the line), but it won’t be easy. All my pretty ladies who keep talking about getting some exercise and asking about p90x, would you like to join me in this Insanity challenge? It is 30 days shorter than p90x program, and you don’t need any weights. I’ll be starting in about two weeks, and will keep track of my progress. It’ll be more entertaining if a number of us suffer the pain and share the results. You don’t have to be a girl either! Ladies, gentlemen, don’t make me call you out by name here. You know who you are, and I know you’d like to get fit. Might as well do it the right way with fast results!
Tags: fitness, health, insanity
Posted in Personal | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
One of the more practical things that a science major taught me is to pay attention to all the chemicals that are being added to food and everyday products. I like reading labels on absolutely everything from clothes to shampoo bottles. Over the past ten years I’ve become increasingly sensitive to all the ‘smelly’ things like Bounce sheets, perfumes, and don’t even mention Glade plug-ins! During that same time frame companies started to add all kinds of things to their products that weren’t there before. With me being a chemical conscious ‘freak’ and all, I usually pay close attention to new literature that comes out, and when I heard about this “Slow Death by Rubber Duck” book, I knew I had to get it. Whaaa, was it ever an eye opening read: some things I knew, and others I didn’t. Like brominated flame-retardants in children’s pajamas and practically all of the furniture and carpets. Things that we use daily, many of which are known carcinogens and have many adverse health effects. Good thing I switched to all natural, health friendly products due to my ‘allergies’. Still need to step up my game and pay even closer attention. Get the book, read it, I’m sure you’ll like it, and you don’t need a BSc to understand it. David Suzuki also wrote a number of great books on everyday chemicals in households, cosmetics etc. Here is quick link to some common gross chemicals in personal products.
A good reference book on Food additives.
There are a number of iPhone apps that also list all the food additives for a quick reference.
Tags: books, health
Posted in Personal | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
One of the goals this year is to get my fitness up and finally get on the health food train. It’s not a matter of loosing weight or anything like that, I just want to be more active and able to carry all my photo equipment uphill both ways! Now, I just have to find that hill.
So, today marks the two full weeks of p90x, yaaay! only a billion more days to go. The first week pretty much kicked my butt. I was sore the whole time, all muscles were hot (literally) but I kind of enjoyed that, weird I know. Second week went by much smoother, recovery time got a lot better, but workouts are still challenging. Still can’t do a few moves in yoga X, I’m convinced that it’s humanly impossible.
I didn’t take before and after photos, cause I don’t really care for those things, but here what I’ve noticed. Overall improvement in cardio and muscle tone. I can actually get through the whole workout without pausing, or panting like crazy. Muscle tone: arms, back, and calves have noticeably improved, as in muscles are popping out that weren’t there before. Water – I consume it like crazy now, always thirsty. Food – not as hungry, but have cravings for protein from time to time.
Lets see what happens in another two weeks. Bring it X style! Oh, and I absolutely loathe TONY, in a loving kind of way!
Tags: fitness, health
Posted in Personal | No Comments »
