Best Body Bootcamp 4 - Week 1

Two posts in a row... cray-cray!

So I've made it 5 days of Best Body Bootcamp, and I live to tell the tale.

This week has been really good - after oh... 2 months of not caring at all about what I ate, and exercising sporadically, it feels so good to be back in a routine of healthy living. After being on a candy bender over Christmas, I had to detox myself. My sweets of choice this week have been: berries, sugar free pudding, and a few bowls of peanut butter Cheerios (love). No chocolate or candy - it's helped cut down on the sugar cravings dramatically, or maybe it's all in my head. Who knows, either way, I'm gonna go with it.

For Best Body Bootcamp, we have to set two healthy goals each week. They could be anything related to healthy living. I chose: walk Jerry around the block and floss every night. Things I should be doing every day right? Right, but I wasn't. I had a dog that also needed to be on a post-holiday diet, and my teeth just felt gross. Everyday (except today) has been decent weather-wise, and I've managed to get Jerry around the block (or longer) every day! We did make it on a walk today, even though it was a little dreary. He loves it, and I am enjoying it too. Most days I take him for a quick walk at lunchtime, which works perfectly. A nice break in the day for both of us!

As far as workouts go, it feels really good to be back at the gym. This is what I have done so far this week, and what I have planned for the weekend.

Monday: Core class + 30 minutes of elliptical intervals
Tuesday: Boot Camp Fitness Test + circuit intervals on the stability ball and treadmill (bootcamp workout)
Wednesday: 75 minute walk with Jerry, still didn't tire him out
Thursday: 45 minute Centergy class (5:45 AM - a FIRST in my life, a morning workout. Can't say I loved it, but I didn't hate it)
Friday: 40 minute walk with Jerry
Saturday: Core circuit (bootcamp workout)
Sunday: Maybe Centergy class, maybe more circuit intervals, maybe nothing??

I'm more motivated than I have ever been to get fit. I have a lot of reasons why, but the most important reason is that I want to do it for me!

I'm off to enjoy my evening - the family is coming to town tomorrow because my parents are adopting a new puppy! More to come... :) 

Two and a half months

Well, it's been two and a half-ish months of craziness since I last posted in my blog. I've done quite a bit in the past few months!

Brace yourself for some highlights:

• Went to a horse race
• Went to Washington DC, again... I go there a lot!
• Celebrated some college graduations (Go Wolfpack!)
• Went to India!
• Packed up my Charlotte apartment (all by myself, I may add!)
• Big Red (my car) hit 60,000 miles
• Saw Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney in concert! 
• Moved to a new apartment, closer to work

Thrilling, I know... the most exciting 2 weeks in that time period was definitely my trip to India. I went for work. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I had an amazing experience!

What is up next on my horizon? Why am I back to blogging? Well, I have always used this blog as a record of my fitness accomplishments and culinary creations. And, next week starts round two of Tina Reale's Best Body Bootcamp!

The deadline to join is FRIDAY! So get on it! For $25, you get 8 (EIGHT!) weeks of workout plans. I have to say, the first round of bootcamp kicked my butt, and I am looking forward to seeing what Tina has in store for us this time!

Also, thanks to my mom, I am all settled in to my new apartment. My life has been in moving shambles pretty much since I last posted, and I really haven't cooked much at all. My bank account hates me for eating out so much. I am ready to get back in to the healthy living swing of things! Last night, I made coleslaw and vegan banana everything cookies. I don't bake often, so this was an accomplishment. I am starting to feel back-to-normal after a few months of chaos...

I'll be back soon, I promise!

Best Body Bootcamp - Week 4 Recap

All of week 4, I was traveling all over the Eastern Seaboard! I always have issues when I get out of my normal routine, so I sent my healthy goals to help me stick to it!

Goal 1: Record my meals and snacks in My Fitness Pal
Goal 2: Floss every night

I did OK on both of these goals... far better at the beginning of the week than towards then end, when I was too tired to care any more!

I didn't make a specific workout plan this week, but I figured I would squeeze in as much working out as I could, with the hopes of getting 5 days in. I consider this week to be a workout success. I have never made it a point to fit in some intense workouts on a work trip - there is a first for every thing!

Here is how week 4 went, workout-wise:

Monday: 60 min plant tour (all walking!)
Tuesday: 30 min walk outside
Wednesday: 30 min circuit training - lower body and jogging/walking interals
Thursday: 45 min walk (another plant tour!)
Friday: 30 min walk (yet another tour..), 2.5 mile jog, 30 mins of abs
Saturday: 60 min strength training intervals, walking ALL day around DC
Sunday: REST!

Overall, it was a good week - especially with traveling from Sunday to Sunday. Looking forward to getting back to normal this week! I just opened up the Phase 3 plan for Best Body Bootcamp (can we say intense?), so details on my week 5 plan to come tomorrow! Also, stay tuned for details from my epic road trip and weekend in DC!

Best Body Bootcamp - Week 3 Recap

Week three was overall a really good week.  Late this week, I finally felt like I was starting to see the effects of bootcamp on my body, and it feels really great! If I am starting to see it just three weeks in, I can't wait to see how I look (and feel) at the end of this. Next week will be more of a challenge though. I will be on the road for work all week, but I am going to do my best to make reasonably healthy food choices as well as try and fit in mini-workouts where I can. 

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Week three's goals:


Goal 1: Eat at least one serving of fruit or vegetables with every meal
Goal 2: Take my vitamins every day


I did very well on both of my goals this week! I ate fruit and/or veggies at (almost) every meal. Thursday was my only 'bad' day. I was exhausted, and while not an excuse, I did fall asleep around 8:30 PM and it was still daylight when I got in bed! 

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And here are how my workouts for the week went. Not quite as planned (it never is!), but still a great week.

Monday: cardio + lower body strength training circuits (this felt awful and great at the same time)
Tuesday: 20 minute jog + 10 minute walk + core work (another great run!)
Wednesday: 40 minute mixed intervals (I hate the treadmill, but I did it)
Thursday: unplanned rest day
Friday: cardio + upper body strength training (can't wait for the sculpted arms to come out!)
Saturday: full body strength training + Crunch abs DVD
Sunday: planned rest day


I am not going to plan any specific workouts for week 4, but I am going to squeeze in a workout wherever I can and hopefully I can get 5 days of workouts in. Even if it is a quick Pilates DVD, or another workout from Netflix. Not sure what the gym situation will be like at the hotels...


Have you ever checked out all of the workout selections on Netflix? So awesome to have when you are traveling. 

Best Body Bootcamp - Week 2 Recap/Week 3 Plan

Week 2 of Bootcamp has gone MUCH better than week 1. No unexpected illnesses! I did have some unexpected late days at the office, but that frustration just gave me some awesome workout fuel...

As far as my healthy goals went, I did pretty well...

Goal 1 was to drink at least 64 oz. of water each day. I successfully accomplished that 6 out of 7 days this week! Goal 2 was to eat a fruit or vegetable with each meal. I accomplished that at the beginning of the week... I kind of fell off the wagon at the end of this week, so I will be re-attempting this goal again this week!

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As far as workouts go, I planned on starting the week slowly, eventually building back up to running again. I love the flexibility of this plan. As long as I get up and get moving almost every day, and incorporate the strength and circuit training in with my normal cardio, I know that by week 8 that I will be seeing some serious results.

Here is my workout recap for Week 2:

Monday: 50 minute walk
Tuesday: 20 minute run + 10 minute walk + strength training
Wednesday: 30 minutes on elliptical + 15 minutes walking on the treadmill + circuit training
Thursday: 20 minute run + 10 minute walk
Friday: 30 minute run + 45 minute walk
Saturday: 5 mile walk
Sunday: Rest

Yesterday was a WELL deserved rest day. I probably ate way too much, and was totally worthless watching Saved By the Bell all afternoon, but I earned it! 

So far so good with Best Body Bootcamp. I feel great. The scale isn't reflecting a weight loss, but I am not worried about that. I can see and feel my body toning, and I can feel muscles working that I really didn't even know that I had. I still need to work on getting more strength in to the routine. Due to schedule conflicts, I was only able to do strength training one day this week, and circuit training one day. I'd like to take this a bit more seriously in week 3! I think the way that the workouts are structured, I will be getting some more strength work in naturally.

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And now for the week 3 plan... 

Goal 1: Eat at least one serving of fruit or vegetables with every meal (Did not work out so well last week)
Goal 2: Take my vitamins every day (Again, I slacked this past week)

Exercise Plan... Weekday workouts are clearly defined. Weekend workouts are still kind of TBD!

Monday: Circuit intervals + lower body strength training
Tuesday: 30 minute interval training + core work
Wednesday: 40 minute mixed intervals + core work
Thursday: Full body strength training
Friday: Circuit intervals + upper body strength training
Saturday: Cardio - maybe a long walk, maybe Pilates, maybe both? Kind of depends on the weather
Sunday: Off - traveling to MA

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Cheers to a good week 3!!!

Best Body Bootcamp - Week 2 Plan

Well here we are, week 2 of Best Body Bootcamp! Last week didn't quite go as planned for me, but I am feeling mostly recovered from whatever illness knocked me down. I am still not going to do anything intense today or tomorrow, since I am pretty stuffy - I will probably just stick to walking outside until at least Wednesday... notice I was generic with 'cardio intervals'

The weather is supposed to be gorgeous here all week, so I should have no problems getting outside after work! While this time change is hard to adjust to, I love the extra hour of daylight at night and not having to rush home and cram an outdoor workout in.

Basically, perfect weather! If that isn't incentive to get outside, I don't know what is!

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Here are my two healthy goals for the week!

Goal 1: Drink at last 64 oz. of water each day - this stayed the same from last week, still trying to drive this healthy habit home!
Goal 2: Eat at least one fruit or vegetable with every meal!

 Love my 32 oz. Rubbermaid bottle!

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And here is my workout plan! Hopefully by Wednesday I will be back to jogging again!

Monday: 50 minute cardio intervals
Tuesday: 20 min cardio + workout B
Wednesday: 50 min cardio intervals
Thursday: 20 min cardio + strength training
Friday: 20 min HIIT + circuit training
Saturday: Bar Crawl = lots of walking
Sunday: Rest

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Looking forward to kicking bootcamp booty this week in preparation for some special visitors this weekend!!!

Best Body Bootcamp - Week 1 Recap

First week of Best Body Bootcamp is complete! 7 more to go!

Here is how my workouts for the week went. On Wednesday, I came down with a cold that came along with flu-like body achiness. It knocked me down on Wednesday and Thursday, but I felt a bit stronger on Thursday after resting all day and tried to go for an easy walk. Strength training was still out of the picture, although I attempted one of our strength training circuits on Saturday. Bad idea. I decided it was better to tone down the workouts for the rest of the week and just do walks, instead of pushing myself with a jog.  

Monday: Strength Training + 20 minute jog

Tuesday: 50 minute run/walk intervals

Wednesday: Rest day

Thursday: 30 minute easy walk

Friday: Rest day

Saturday: 1 circuit of strength training 

Sunday:  Walked ALL day furniture shopping

I took this week a lot easier than I had planned because of my unexpected illness. I am starting to feel better, and am down to just being congested. I can deal with that. No running just yet, but this shouldn't impact my basic workouts for the week because I can substitute walking.

Looking forward to week 2! Next week's workout plan is coming tomorrow...

How was your first week of Best Body Bootcamp? Did it go as expected, or did life get in the way?

Best Body Bootcamp - Week 1 Plan

Monday was the kickoff of Best Body Bootcamp, hosted by Tina Reale! What an awesome concept, and it has attracted a really supportive and awesome group of women. (Are there any men in it?) I have been so excited to start. I really am hoping to see some good changes in my body through mixing up my workout routine.

The concept of the bootcamp is to complete a flexible workout plan (to the best of your ability, and according to your schedule) and to set two healthy goals each week. If you complete a certain amount of workouts and meet your goals, you get entered in to a prize drawing each week based on your activities!! Who doesn't love prizes? And any reward on top of improving my fitness through working out is just a bonus (yes, I am cheesy).

I am going to aim to move at least 6 days per week - whether it is a walk, or a run, or strength training, or pilates.

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Here are my goals for this week:

• Drink at least 64 oz of water each day
• Track my food 100% in My Fitness Pal

I am going to try and change these up each week, and not make all goals food-oriented. But duh, that is always what I gravitate towards...

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Here is my workout plan for this week: 

Monday: Strength Training + 20 minute jog

Tuesday: 50 minute run/walk intervals

Wednesday: Strength Training + 20 minute jog

Thursday: 50 minute run/walk intervals

Friday: 20 minute HIIT + circuit training

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 3.1 mile run + 3.1 mile walk (inclement weather backup: pilates)

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I plan to post my weekly plan on Monday or Tuesday of that week, and then on Sunday night's, recap on how the week went. I plan to take before and after pictures, but I still have not decided if that is something that I want to share with the internet yet. I am also going to weigh myself, but because I know I will be gaining new muscle, I am not going to focus on the number on the scale. I am just weighing myself to keep my eating in check!

Best Body Bootcamp!

Today, Tina at Best Body Fitness announced the Best Body Bootcamp! This could not come at a better time with bathing suit season well on its way here in North Carolina... I just signed up and can't wait to get started on March 5th!

I need a little boost in my workout, particularly in the arena of strength training. I don't have too much of an issue getting cardio in: I use the elliptical and/or run about 5 times a week. But, I really do not do my part in strength training. I try to occasionally do pilates or yoga once a week. and I think my weight loss (or at least inches-loss) is suffering because of it. My diet is (mostly) on track and I have established healthy habits. I really need some guidance and can't afford a personal trainer! This boot camp only costs $25.00 and provides an 8 week training plan that anyone can do - as long as you have a base level of fitness established.

I really enjoy reading Tina's blog. She has some great fitness tips, is very knowledgeable, and is very real! She is so honest about her life, her past, and her fitness habits. Her journey has truly inspired me to live my healthiest life. I can't stress the importance of that enough! I used to live a pretty unhealthy lifestyle, and while I am not perfect and won't pretend to be - I have made a drastic turnaround in my eating and exercise habits and have developed new, healthy habits that will last me a very long lifetime.

I encourage everyone reading this to invest $25.00 in Best Body Bootcamp and most importantly, invest some time into your fitness. This is a small investment to improve your health! I am looking forward to incorporating some guided and structured strength training in to my workout routine and seeing the results, along with my current use of My Fitness Pal to track my food intake and exercise.

Oh yeah, Tina has some really cool prizes that are going to be given away every week, as well as a cash prize coming from a portion of the registration fee at the end of the challenge!!!

I will be blogging about the bootcamp and my progress throughout the 8 weeks! Tune in on March 5th for the kickoff!!!