Hi All!
Lauren here -- Back in October I did the Toughmudder. I'm sure I will write about how that went in the future, but for now let me just say that it was one of the most fun, intense, and demanding moments in my life. A few weeks after it, I started feeling my hip flexor kind of 'lock up' while running making it very difficult to push through 2 miles. But I'm stubborn and I continued to run anyway, knowing that after the mile mark, it would become extremely difficult to go any further, let alone walk after I finished my run. Once the new year hit, I decided I should back off of running but not running regularly leaves a giant void in my life and I feel like I accomplish nothing when I exercise without getting a run in. I love to attend group exercise classes at my gym, but again I needed way more cardio in my fitness routine.
So in doing some research on different programs, I started my first day of T25 on the 11th! It seems like it really focuses on cardio and is great for toning, which are 2 things I love getting out of a workout. I wasn't sure how I'd be since I had not run in a month and of course the first cd/day of exercise is labeled 'cardio'..but I
was ready for it!
It comes in a rather intimidating box...mainly because there are
motivating quotes all over it and come with a lot more than just the dvd's!
The
Box.."It's All About Time":
The Dvd's box comes with a small but very informative booklet of
recipes and a guide to follow for eating while doing T25. I skimmed through it
but I am sure I will be looking at it more this week and will write a post on
that! But this is the dvd box.."Get it done!":
It also comes with a resistance band but I am not sure when we will be
using it or for what exercises!
They give you a calendar, which tells you which dvd to put in next and to track your progress.
One side is the Alpha, which you start with, and the other is Beta, which is for the second month of the program. I started it the morning of the 11th with my boyfriend and it was awesome!
Yes, it was tiring and we both needed a quick little break 15 minutes in but we were able to bully through! Out of
everything, I felt it in my calves the most during the workouts because many of
the exercises required you to be on your toes/balls of your feet. But they
aren't sore from it..just felt that the most! My boyfriend's booty was the
most sore, but he made sure to continually stretch it. It was
definitely great cardio which is what I was looking for!
The next morning, my roommates and I went to a gym class called 'power' (a low weight, high rep, weight lifting class). Doing that after T25
made me feel really good, and my body already felt more 'awake'. I am really
going to try to stick to a routine of doing T25 for 3 or 4 days a week and lifting about 2 or 3 days a week.
I am getting on a new kick of
making a smoothie right after I finish T25. I always love the idea of having a
smoothies as a post workout snack/meal but when coming home from the gym it is
a little more difficult...I always wind up running last minute errands, taking
care of things in the house, showering, and then by the time I remember to eat,
it's super late and I don't want to make anything or eat a big dinner. So i am looking forward to the ease of making and having smoothies right
after T25! I even saw this awesome trick on pinterest to 'pre-make' your
smoothies and freeze them! Throw what you want in freezer baggies, put it all
in the blender when you're ready to have one, and voila! You have a smoothie: http://www.adventuresinmindfulliving.com/healthy-smoothies-busy-person/ (I'm sure you'll see me post many wonderful finds from pinterest...I'll admit now that I am a pinterest addict)
Week one is down, and I'm ready to start week 2!
Keep checking back for weekly updates on my T25 journey!
