Day 15 Metamorphosis

Hi~!

I have completed Day 15 of metamorphosis, Omni level 2 day 5. However, it was a long, arduous process.  Again, I haven't slept well and I had a long day of classes, when I went to do my MS, I wanted to go to 17 reps per leg but stayed at 16 again.  After every different move, I had to sit and  yawn. Not because I was bored, but because I was tired. And cranking out those reps was painful. Painful but it got done. 

Cardio did not get done last night, I would have probably passed out mid-dance and just fallen asleep on the living room floor in my workout clothes. For day 16, since I get out of work at 5, not 7:45, the plan is to take a nap, do my meta, and either add the Beginner Dance Cardio DVD onto that or add 2 combos on day 16, and then 2 more on day 17 to make up for the loss. I really did not want to take day 15 off entirely because this time I want my Sunday off. 

Also, since I have been working out and getting visually slimmer, I am beginning to crave food hard core.  I'm very often tired, hungry, or a combination of the two. Sometimes I do allow myself to have some of the food I crave as long as I don't go crazy (always the hardest part). I think it's partially that my body is used to having this extra fat on it, and wants to eat to replenish it and to that I say NO NO NO!

I have also decided to reduce my weigh ins from every day to more like every week or two. I am learning that the scale is a tricky bastard, and EVERYTHING counts on the scale- bone, water, food, hair, etc.  I have decided to trust in the tape measure- That will tell you truthfully if you're making progress, because it is not necessarily weight loss we are really wanting to achieve, but fat loss. The scale hasn't been budging for me and based on my research, at the beginning that is actually normal as I am likely building muscle (Building doesn't necessarily mean bulking!) which weighs more than fat anyway. 

I used to be a scale slave and it drove me insane. If you aren't a scale slave, quit while you're ahead! Go by the number on the tape measure/on the tags of your clothing, not the number on the scale!

I will try to get through my day today, I feel, as an online friend of mine said, "Like a limp dishrag" but that means changes are happening! Have a great day!

Day 14 Metamorphosis

Hello everyone!

I did my day 14 workout last night, and I upped my leg reps to 16. It hurt. Badly. I think it's because I haven't been sleeping well that this is such a struggle. It could also be that my body hates planks, haha. 

As for cardio, I did 35 minutes of dancing- I no longer use the Meta DVD for cardio, instead I made my own little playlist of music that lasts about 35 minutes and just dance until the music stops.

My playlist consists of the following-

Hung Up- Madonna

Check It Out- Nicki Minaj and Will I Am

Satisfaction- Benny Benassi

CABI (Areia Remix) 2PM & SNSD

Call On Me- Eric Prydz

Pjanoo (Original Mix)- Eric Prydz

Maneater- Nelly Furtado

I find it much easier to let loose and not keep watching the clock when I am just dancing to music of my choosing. Before I knew it, I had done 35 minutes of cardio with no breaks or boredom! When I up to 40, I will post that playlist too! I am still step touching but really getting my major sweat on. 

Looking forward to doing day 15 tonight! 5 more days until measuring! Have a great day everyone and get your workout in!


On a final note, I would like to wish a Happy  Birthday to the one and only Tracy Anderson, without whom my newfound enthusiasm for exercise  and transformation would likely not be possible~

Day 13 Metamorphosis!

Hello everyone!

Day 13 of Metamorphosis- aka the day that almost wasn't.  As in I almost didn't work out. Almost. I finally mustered up the strength and determination to do my MS at 11 pm. 

I did not up the reps- because I was really tired, my 15 were a lot harder but I pushed through.  Also the matburn on my elbows is lessened, always a good thing. For day 14 I still might stick with 15 reps because the moves in level 2 are pretty challenging still, especially the planks, and I want to work everything out equally. 

No cardio last night, no energy and it was late.  I nose dove into bed, without even showering or anything because I was so exhausted. 

I can't wait for level 3- from the looks of it, there's no planks and I can measure myself again after 20 days! I love seeing my progress. 

As you may know there is also a program for when  you are done with metamorphosis called Continuity- a subscription service that gives you new material every 90 days. I might try that after a couple of rounds of Metamorphosis. I want to see if I can lose most of this fat before starting the newer stuff.


Have a great day and DO YOUR WORKOUT! <3

Day 12 Metamorphosis

Hello!

I completed day 12 of my workout, and by now, it is becoming more like an addiction which is a good thing! It's a complete 180 from how I used to be. 

With my MS, I was somehow able to muster up the strength to do all of the leg moves 15 times, even that damned balance move.  I found a trick to help keep from falling over- it's all in how you have the supporting leg situated. Tracy has her leg at a slight diagonal in the video and that makes a world of difference.  I am going to try to do 16 reps today.  There is one thing about level 2 that I don't like- the plank move that requires you to be resting on your forearms gave me matburn (like rugburn but from my yoga mat) on my elbows. Next time I'll try putting a towel or something under my elbows because that really hurt.

As for cardio- Instead of doing 30 minutes of cardio, I am doing 35 minutes this week, and every week or two I will be raising it by 5 minutes until I have the endurance to hit a full hour.  I did the Meta cardio with the addition of Beginner Dance Cardio combination 1- not counting the learning segment.  Up to tempo, that combo lasts about 5 minutes. 

I have to do my day 13 workout before heading out to see Lady Gaga in concert- who is looking amazing lately by the way- She works out with Tracy too!

Day 11 Metamorphosis!

Hello!

I began level 2 of Omnicentric Metamorphosis and it was actually easier than it looks but still quite difficult.  The arms are faster, as are the standing abs but that wasn't the problem for me. Floor abs were the same speed as before, but with different movements.   Now the legs... The first two moves are pretty harmless. The first one involves you having one arm behind your back while moving the leg on the opposite side. No problems there, that one was pretty easy.  The next one was easy too, having your working leg crossed over the supporting leg and lift it into a diagonal.  After this is where it gets to be a pain. The two plank moves- being in a pushup position for one while moving one leg and the other plank involves being on your forearms and moving your leg.  These really challenged my arms and abs more than my leg.  Then, the worst one for me- having the arm and leg on one side supporting you while your other arm and leg are in the air. I could only do this one about 5 times before I just kept toppling over.  She says in the video the main goal with this move is to challenge your balance. Tracy, you have NO idea.  The last two moves are actually not too bad.  One is laying on your side and doing a variation of the frog kick (for those of you familiar with the moves in her book) and a side plank- but it is done on  your knee and you come to the ground after each time. It's not as bad as it looks!

The thing with me and legs, the first couple of days I do struggle because I am still getting used to the new movements but over the 10 day period, I am usually able to build up to 25-30 reps. Let's hope I can do it with this level!

Skipped on cardio for day 11 because it was late and cardio disturbs the neighbors. The goal for day 12 is to do double the cardio- probably using the beginner dance cardio because freestyling is getting a little boring to me and I always watch the clock and put myself through mental hell when doing it.

Also I want to perhaps start doing my workout before breakfast on days I don't have to be at school at 8 am (Monday, Wednesday, sometimes Friday, and Saturday.  Sunday too if I don't use it as a rest day).  Supposedly that helps burn more fat.

Eating dinner now, and off to do my day 12 workout!  Hope you all have a great weekend!

Day 10 Metamorphosis and Measurements update!!!

Hello everyone!

Last night I got my day 10 of Metamorphosis done- 25 reps per leg and a half hour of cardio. Still felt weak because of my monthly friend and crashed right after (into bed!). I am now ready for Omnicentric level 2! 

In other (not less important) news- I have taken my 10 day measurements this morning!  I had to measure twice to make sure I was seeing correctly.

Bust: 2/14 - 47.5 inches   

2/24- 46.5 inches 1 inch lost!

Right Arm: 2/14 - 18 inches 

2/24- 16.5 inches  1.5 inches lost!

Left Arm- 2/14 - 19 inches 

2/24 - 17.5 inches 1.5 inches lost!

Waist- 2/14 - 46.5 inches 

2/24- 44 inches 2.5 inches lost!

Hips- 2/14 - 53 inches 

2/24 - 52 inches 1 inch lost!

Right Thigh- 2/14 33 inches 

2/24 - 31 inches 2 inches lost!

Left Thigh- 2/14 33 inches 

2/24 - 31 inches 2 inches lost!

In 10 workouts, even not following the diet plan, I have lost a total of 11.5 inches off of my body!  I have been really diligent about cardio and I think that is a huge reason why the inches are coming off like they are.  Also I have increased my water intake and I do keep calories at a reasonable amount. I think the meal plan in the Metamorphosis kit just isn't enough calories for someone like me at this time.  

I start level 2- Days 11-20 today~ Will blog tomorrow to let you all know how it goes!

Day 8 and 9 Metamorphosis

Hello!

As of today, I have completed days 8 and 9 of my Metamorphosis. However, it was NOT easy. Why? Because of the lovely miracle we ladies get from Mother Nature every month!

Day 8- 2/22

Today I really, really struggled with my exercise. This is the day before Aunt Flo came to visit and when I went to do my MS, it was like someone had come and sapped all of the energy right out of me.  I barely got through abs and arms, and when it came to legs, instead of 25 reps, with great difficulty I could only manage to squeak out 15.  Cardio also was not done, because there was a little emergency that night. Apparently my kitchen sink drain pipe was leaking, and water went all over the floor and into the downstairs apartment (where the landlord lives). So that resulted in people being in my place until about 10:45 at night, too late to do cardio since I have one of the world's squeakiest floors. 

Day 9- 2/23

Today was a bit better with the MS.  I was able to power through 25 reps but toward the end I started to feel weak. (Aunt Flo had actually come this time)  Cardio was just soso, I felt sleepy and tired and just kind of flopped through the movements. I also was (and still am) feeling totally bloated and cranky and craving everything junky under the sun.

Today (2/24) is day 10 of level 1 Omnicentric, meaning tomorrow is time for level 2... Lots of planks ahead. Counting on low reps at first since planks are a big weakness for me.

Also, tonight is measurement time!  I weighed in and I have gained even more weight (due to bloating) so I will wait until Aunt Flo takes her leave, then weigh. I will post my measurements tomorrow with my day 10 blog!