Go go gadget guns!

Let me start this [long] post by saying that I'm starting to become obsessed with Jackie Warner's Power Circuit DVD. Seriously. I still have 2 new Jari Love DVDs to try AND my new aerobic step arrived yesterday (to take some of the Jari Love workouts to a new challenging level), yet all I wanted to do this morning was bust through 40 minutes of fast-paced pain. I think that's still the biggest appeal right now- the fact that it just flies by, yet leaves me feeling like I still accomplished something. My arms and chest are just feeling awesome right now (and tingly!).

After the DVD was over, I decided to run a mile before hitting the shower. Since that particular DVD is one of my shorter workouts, I figured adding on a quick run would make for a good combo. Some progress notes:

• Since I'm prepared for the lightning-fast transitions, I'm able to keep up with the reps better and put forth more effort, thus feeling more of the burn.
• I'm starting to add weights to certain moves (i.e., lunges and squats) and increasing my weight on other moves (i.e., hammer curls and rows)
• The ab intervals still kick my ass. Not much progress made there because the burn is so bad, I often find myself just watching the DVD and shaking my head in disgust.

I don't mean to brag, but I'm pretty impressed with my attitude toward fitness this week. I think having all of these new options (new DVDs, new equipment) is just making me eager to try stuff so I can feel/see my body change. When I reached my goal weight, I was definitely feeling and seeing changes, thanks to discovering HIIT routines and weight lifting, but the results I'm getting this time around are different... This time, instead of being smaller and moderately toned, I feel like I'm just getting cut. Even though my ass is carrying more poundage than it did back in October/November, it's starting to actually lift and look awesome. I've been doing significantly more squats and lunges over the past few weeks than I previously did over a few months, so there ya go.

On that note, I guess I'll go ahead and share just how much I gained back... After November hit (and my binge eating returned), I gained about 15 pounds steadily through January (yeah, do the math on that one, folks. I packed it on heavy and fast). I was back in the 170s for a bit. Seeing that number on the scale (and worse so, feeling every pound of it) was devastating. And although I'm trying to break away from numbers, I am happy to say that I'm finally back in the 160s. My 90 pound goal weight was 158 and my lowest weight ever was 150.8 (!!!). Am I trying to get back to the low 150s? Well, considering how stressed and hungry I got trying to get there, no, not really. I think as far as realistic maintenance goes, anything between 158 and 162 feels the most natural.

Anywho, closing notes on exercise: Tomorrow, I'm gonna bust out the new step and try Jari's Extremely Ripped DVD (essentially, an older version of the Extremely Ripped 1000 DVD, which was the first one I purchased and quickly became addicted to).

Thursday, I'll either rest or do another round of the Power Circuit DVD and a quick run. Not sure yet. Friday definitely needs to be a run day at the gym though, I'm thinkin'.

On to food!

Breakfast:



Baked oatmeal and a glass of cold coffee (I didn't put ice in it, so I guess I can't really call it "Iced Coffee" can I?)



For this version, I used:

• 1 packet of store-brand sugar-free instant maple & brown sugar oatmeal
• about 1/3 cup of canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup egg whites
• 1 small mashed banana
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• splash of vanilla extract
• splenda

In reviewing the original recipe, I now realize I forgot to add the baking powder, but it was still fluffy and daaaaaamn good. I think adding the banana took it to that new level of awesomeness.



I brewed some coffee last night and left it in the fridge overnight. Mixed it with light vanilla Silk and a few pumps of DaVinci sugar-free Pumpkin Pie syrup. Oh man. So delightful, even though it was like 6 degrees outside when I drank it.

Morning snack:



More 0% Fage yogurt with pineapple chunks.

Assuming I don't get lazy later, lunch and afternoon snack pics to follow this afternoon.