Friday, 29 May 2015

26. Fat Burner + Red Hot Core

Two push ups again, like a pro. Well, a pro who uses her knees to make push ups easier. Struggled a bit with broken table crunches but my arms WILL improve! They will.
Lunges are still good, balance is a little off but I'm getting better.
Meh stomach muscles. Still not used modifications for most of it apart from my goddamn unstraightenable legs. I hate my hamstrings.

I am SO TIRED but have to get my shit together for a friend's birthday party tomorrow. Lots and lots of power ballads are all that can get me through this.

Tuesday, 26 May 2015

25. Fat Burner.

Screw you brain! I feel a lot better today, probably a combination of getting towards the tail end of my period and remembering that I should stop fucking whining. I have this awful habit of dwelling on how much I don't wanna do stuff and complaining in my head about whatever it is, and what I need to remember is that it doesn't fucking matter what I want. My amazing darling boyfriend has been at work for 24 hours and awake for around 48, how can I possibly complain about not being arsed to exercise. He works so hard,  and just gets on with it, regardless of what he wants or doesn't want. Shit just needs doing.

On that note, witness a full push up! Two! Using my knees and I just planked for the rest but it has actually occurred. Fuckin'a.
Butterfly thing always gives me a stitch, I think I need to work on my breathing more. Legs are as ever, I feel like my attempts to touch my toes aren't quite as laughable as before but really, who knows. I have some more photos which will go up sometime.

Now I absolutely have to sleep before I die.

24. Energy.

Ugh. I feel awful. Dragged myself through this, felt ok for most of it but as it gets hotter I REALLY loathe not having a shower. Bathing when it's hot and you're already sweaty is the worst. Also it turns out I really hate sweating. Though that might have something to do with my stupid womb making me run hot for a week. Bleugh. I hate everything.

To the surprise of no one, nothing has improved. Still tiny short hamstrings. Actually I lie, arms are slightly better, or at least, the same level of better that they were when I noticed the improvement, lunging is better too.

That's basically it. Yawnsville.

Saturday, 23 May 2015

23. Diamond Dozen + Fat Burner

I did not make it all the way through Fat Burner today. Period pains were bad yesterday but fine today so I was ok all through Diamond Dozen, turns out slow movements were fine. Ow. Plus I'm supposed to be going for lunch in an hour and I still need to bathe and get my shit together.

Catcher into thunderbolt is still the worst. I took some pictures of my so-called flexibility but they're still on my phone so might have to wait till next time.
Down dog has actually got worse, is that even possible? Upper body strength is still ok, if I just do a push up straight down and up again it's fine (using my knees, obviously), it's the crocodile in the middle that throws me off.
I'm going to have to go over breathing again, I always end up gasping and taking half breaths to fit in with when I should be breathing. Though I'm assuming the cramps I got today were period related rather than oxygen.
I'm really struggling to be motivated at the moment, I'm seeing some small improvements here and there but it's just so fucking time consuming. It would be easier and quicker if we had a shower but we can't move house on that basis. I'm hoping it's just pre period blues and I'll be back on it next week.

Wednesday, 20 May 2015

No workout today, just photos.

I figured three-year-old photos were probably not the best way to monitor my progress, especially three-year-old photos from a catwalk on which I was trying to look good. So, grudgingly, here are some unadorned photos of me and my messy bedroom.






Nothing I'm particularly ashamed of, I would really like that belly to stick out less, but my spine curves in quite a lot so I'll probably always have a little pot-belly. Ugh love handles, why. And those thighs, I'd be ok with the size if they were powerful, which they are not. It's difficult to judge the feebleness of my arms from photos, and I can't even begin to be bothered to take bending over photos to demonstrate my flexibility, or lack thereof. Maybe in another month I'll take some more and see if there's any difference.
I also spent a little while mooching around the DDPYoga website, which is really weird. I made my own account, but couldn't see the Community button or any of the Team profiles, so I figured it was because I hadn't ordered the DVD (boyfriend purchase). I logged in using his email address but it was exactly the same, the team DDP page was just one endorsement from some lady and then nothing. I kinda thought there would be a forum, and people keep referencing "6 photos" but I'm buggered if I can find out what they are, everyone's photos seem to be different.
Also, annoyingly, I don't own a heartrate monitor. I know I need one but they're unspeakably expensive. I'm going to see if I can find a cheaper one somewhere, I know DDP needs to make money but ugh, I cannot justify spending 40 quid on anything right now. 

Tuesday, 19 May 2015

22. Fat Burner + Red Hot Core

Eeesh. Fat Burner is still a struggle.
I tried to do a push up on my knees this time and actually managed it twice! Woo hoo! Plus all the planking and broken table crunches which kill my arms so much.
Catcher into thunderbolt is just awful, can't squat far, can't get my arms up high. Absolutely rubbish. But at least it's something to improve on and it really helps my hips. They were awfully achey the other night but I think it's because I slept really badly, then went to work all day, then stayed up really late to watch Game of Thrones and Payback. Nice evening though :)
Still trying to go modification free for Red Hot Core, so far so good! Not seeing any real difference in the look of my stomach but my diet's been pretty good. I actually weighed myself tonight, visited friends who own scales, and I'm currently 8 1/2 (119 pounds) which is ok. I'm actually a little over that which again, is ok. It just means I've got a good buffer zone so I must be doing something right.

Anyway, bath and bed now. I fucked up booking my driving theory test so I'm really pissed off at myself tonight.

Saturday, 16 May 2015

21. Red Hot Core

Just a little one. I'm still pretty unhappy with my stomach and it feels like almost everywhere else is improving. I know my crappy diet probably has more to do with it than anything so I resisted the urge to get fish 'n' chips on the way home from work and had veg and couscous instead. Yay restraint! That and I have no more money this week.

My hip didn't do anything weird during scissor crunches! Only when I tried to keep my leg extended did it do a few clicks so I guess I'm on the modifications for a while yet. Hamstrings are as they ever were, short and kinda pointless. I might have to seriously think about footwear, I'm worried my docs are not helping because I never tie them up so it's like constantly wearing heavy flip flops. I can't see how that would shorten hamstrings but who knows.

Friday, 15 May 2015

20. Fat Burner

Ugh, once again this workout kicked my arse. My poor feeble arms! They are now unspeakably painful and if this bath doesn't help I'm just going to cry. Still feeling ok about my increasing strength, still unable to do a full push up but there are three sets in this and normally by the last one I just lie on the floor gasping but I actually powered through this time. Broken table crunches are evil and once again my arms hate them. Legs don't care.
My thunderbolt is bad. Cannot squat and keep my heels on the ground, surprise! Still not on the floor in down dog, still nowhere near able to touch my toes. Stupid hips and hamstrings.
Stamina is improving which is nice.

I was going to add red hot core to this as well but then the boyfriend woke up and our living room is not big enough for two people if one of them is doing yoga.

Wednesday, 13 May 2015

19. Energy + Red Hot Core

Ugh, up early for exercise again. I'm so sleepy. Slept like the dead last night though, I barely even woke up when the boyfriend got in from work.

Today was actually pretty smooth, it's become a lot easier and my upper body strength has really improved. Not to the point where I can actually do a single push up or anything ridiculous, but still, improvement.

My hips are still very inflexible, especially my left. I struggle to sit cross legged and reach forwards, standing split has improved both sides but I still have both legs bent and my hands are about a foot away from my actual foot. Astonishingly my left hip didn't complain about scissor crunches! Amazing! It might just be a one off but I really hope this is a sign of improvement.

I'm definitely having mid-workout snacks more often, it gives me a little energy boost. I'll grab some dried fruit or something I think.

Bleh, now to work to try not to fall asleep at my desk. Also, I'm feeling a lot better now, emotionally, lovely boyfriend fixes everything with his lovely face. Whattaguy.

Sunday, 10 May 2015

18. Fat Burner + Red Hot Core

Ah Fat Burner, always a horrible shock.
I have never got past this point on this program, a couple more posts and I will officially be more determined than ever before which is weird. I was going to do stuff yesterday but I was so miserable. I spent most of the day crying, had a tiny fight with the boyfriend and then went to work.
Ah well, today!
I was genuinely surprised by my upper body strength! I actually did the first of the 3 count push ups! The other two I had to plank. I struggled with the thunderbolt thing, can't keep my heels on the floor and crouch like that. But other than those two things I didn't need to use any modifications. I think my hips are very inflexible, the figure 4 stretches at the end were really hard, my foot was nowhere near my face, especially my right foot and thus, my left hip. I've been trying to sleep on my back more but it gives me weird vivid dreams. I actually managed broken table crunches without death! Yay!
I'm using less and less modifications in Red Hot Core, it's about half and half now. Obviously I cannot have my legs straight up in the air at any point because ugh. My left hip still hates either bicycle or scissor crunches, though the straighter I can keep my legs the less it pops.

I did stop for a cheeky snack between the two, melon and yoghurt which was surprisingly nice. I've got some chicken I put in the slow cooker last night for later so food-wise today should be pretty healthy.

Friday, 8 May 2015

17. Hula hoop!

Lovely hour of hooping at the club thanks to lovely boyfriend ^_^

He let me put music on, Rob Zombie is WAY too fast to hoop to but it was fun to try and keep up. I did  a couple of practices of my embryo routine which is ok, but I still lose track of what to do when. It's cool though and I enjoyed prancing around like a fool with the whole top floor to myself.
Jethro Tull was pretty good to use as well, and the odd Frank Turner song. I'm always way too optimistic about hooping music, I choose really speedy stuff, must remember to use more ska. Tim Armstrong next time maybe.

Anyway a lot of time was spent just going over basic waist and chest hooping which will hopefully be excellent for my abs. Also trying to practice with my left arm as much as my right, even though it's way more feeble. Trying to get my isolation skills up there with both arms is....well. It's an ambition.

Now I should eat something and bathe. And wash up. I don't think we have enough hot water for all this, maybe I'll wash up in the morning.

Thursday, 7 May 2015

16. Diamond Dozen + Energy + Red Hot Core

I know, I know. I dropped the ball. Sunday night was Eventful, so Monday was kinda weird. Then Tuesday I had work till 11, followed by work from 10am - 11pm on Wednesday. Luckily my lovely boss said I can come in late today so I have time to do anything at all. Even then it was a near thing. I'm crocheting a baby blanket for my friend's soon-to-be-daughter and I've just found a really lovely pattern which I hope is going to be the centrepiece but I'm buggered if I can find the time to do it.

Anyway this morning I was determined and since the poor hardworking boyfriend is off to work I could put music on which always helps. I think this is usually the point where I give it up because I get bored of doing the same thing over and over and frustrated with the lack of progress. Because I STILL can't get my heels down in down dog, I STILL cannot do even a single push up. I can do half a one, it's the up bit I struggle with.

I'm not losing any weight really, which is irritating because people are always saying "Oh there's barely anything to you, just do a few crunches and you'll have abs in a week!" and other stupid things like that. NO. You guys, that is not how it works, clearly. I know it's partially because of my diet, which I am trying to improve. However there was loads of food leftover from a buffet at work yesterday so unfortunately eating for free takes priority over eating healthily. Plus I can't be arsed to go to the shop and cook stuff. I might have an omelette as a post-workout thing. They're healthy enough, right?

Broken table is getting easier, my arms are still pretty useless but I guess it takes a while to build up strength? I don't really know, I've never had any. Lunges are still fine, I'm using almost all the modifications in Red Hot Core. My balance is getting better which is a nicely unexpected side effect and as usual I feel taller and more able to reach high places which, as a 5'4" person is pretty good.

I keep meaning to take some updated photos of my wobbly bits, the only other ones on here are from about 4 years ago which is ridiculous. Next time maybe.

Right I'd better get on, gotta bathe and eat and still get to work in time to do some work!

Monday, 4 May 2015

15. Energy (ish)

Oh gods I felt awful yesterday. Did a really half arsed attempt at Energy, I didn't even make it all the way through. The boyfriend was grumpy and I was just kinda sad and it all felt a little pointless because my diet is AWFUL and being on the pill is making me gain weight.

On the other hand. Upper body strength has improved since I started, and while my flexibility is completely knackered I guess that's just one of those things that takes a while to improve. It's been over a month since I started this and I've seen very little difference in my weight, but again, that's mostly due to my shit diet and my slight reticence to be stricter with myself. I really only have a buffer zone of about 14 pounds before I am TOO SKINNY and I have to stop. I was hoping that by eating, not unhealthily, but not completely fat free I'd be bale to lose weight, but not too much. I'm not sure if that's working and I'm just being too impatient. I really wanted to wear a crop top last night and it just wasn't happening. Again, I'm not fat, but because of my small frame any excess is very noticeable, especially when it's as jiggly as mine is.

Bleh. Next week will be better. I'll eat less crap, do more hooping. Be better.

Friday, 1 May 2015

14. Red Hot Core

Just a wee little top-up because I feel like I might miss out a few days over the bank holiday weekend. It's going to be awesome! I bloody love bank holidays because I get to actually go out with my boyfriend, he works weekends normally so we don't get to go out to clubs, er, ever.

Still shaking loads during inverted table crunches, though not as badly as when I started. I actually managed to stay in a crocodile (with my knees on the floor) for 10 whole seconds! The exploding push up bit didn't go fantastically but still, I consider that actual tangible progress. Normally I have to give up and lie down a little bit, take that limp noodley arms! Also tried up dog instead of cobra and managed that just fine, though still can't get my heels to the floor in down dog.
Apart from my arms triumphing over gravity this is not much different to yesterday's attempt (surprise), jackknife is still impossible, I cannot hold my legs straight up in the air even a little bit.
I've started mixing the more difficult positions in for a couple of things, I try to do five of whatever I'm doing with the modifications and five without, so far so good, though I think I definitely need to keep the modifications in there for a while.


*later* Add an hour of hooping at the club, although it was pretty much the opposite of last time. Managed to hit myself in the face twice and generally felt awkward and clunky. More fruit? I think being cold doesn't help, it's at that annoying bit of spring where it's lovely one minute and bloody freezing the next. I hate being cold, it makes me really lethargic and grouchy. Like a tiny bald bear. Still, the hooping was fun and I feel better for it.

13. Energy + Red Hot Core

Oops, this is actually for yesterday! I did this before work but when I got there some of the end-of-month jobs hadn't been done so it was a mad rush, plus serving customers, plus answering the stupid phone, plus doing all the normal daily jobs. I got loads of work done (at work, stunner.) but just didn't have to chance to update this.

Broken table is getting easier, I still wouldn't call it a breeze, but fell less like I'm about to drop dead halfway through, that normally comes at the end. Push ups are very very slightly better, still using my knees but I don't have to go all bendy in the middle in order to come back up. Still no progress with the damn hamstrings, they are the bane of my life. I'd blame wearing heels for my delicate formative teenage years except I mostly wore Doc Martens and skate trainers. Damn. Anyway they still suck.
My stomach is a mess. Red Hot Core isn't too hard as long as I stick to the modifications, but my left hip is really worrying during scissor crunches. Obviously my legs are bent all the time for everything because did I mention I am the least flexible woman in the world? Jackknife is impossible but kinda fun. Also inverted table crunches are ridiculous, I am so shaky at that point.