First, a bootcamp check-in!
The last two weeks have been focused on tempo training and I've definitely been feeling the muscle burn.
Tina defines tempo training as "using slow and controlled counts to target different parts of the movement in each exercise." I've never done this type of training before, but it's making my arms and legs shake by the third set, so it's obviously working!
I love how much motivation and encouragement I'm receiving from the other bootcamp participants and I'm thrilled with the results I'm already gaining...and we're only halfway through! Tina announced this week that there is definitely going to be a Best Body Bootcamp 3 & 4 and
the dates have been set. Very excited about this!
Since the beginning of bootcamp I've lost about 5lbs. Not too shabby for a month! Down approximately 22lbs since March.
I've been trying to figure out what's going on with my endurance levels, because something is definitely up. I've been exercising at least 4 days a week since March and up until a month ago, those 4 days consisted mainly of running. Once bootcamp started, I added the strength training a few days a week. For the last 2 weeks, my endurance while running has gone waaaay down. I was finally up to almost being able to run 3 miles without any sort of walk break and now, I can barely make it a mile. Last night I needed to walk at a half mile. It's more than a little discouraging.
I totally understand the first week bootcamp started making my muscles incredibly sore, so the running was much more of a "very slow jog/walk." But, once I started to get into doing strength training again, I really thought my endurance would pick back up. Any ideas? Any tips?
Have a wonderful weekend everyone! Take a walk with your family or a bike ride. Something to get your heart pumping :)
I, along with 400+ of my new best friends, have joined
Tina's latest
Best Body Bootcamp, which kicked off Monday. Let's just say...I'm sore. Really sore. This is another time I hate living in a split level, because no matter where I go I have to walk up or down stairs and stairs reallllly hurt right now. Darn you, Tina! (Which really means, THANK YOU TINA!)
We have daily workout combos of strength and cardio and I really thought all the running I had been doing had me prepared for what was to come. I had no idea how sore my legs would be after the lower body workout, leaving me with an entirely new appreciation for lunges and squats. Holy sore quads!
On Monday I used the jump rope as my cardio portion and that seriously kicked my butt. I don't know why I can run a few miles and be ok, but 2 minutes jump roping exhausts me for the day. Either way, it worked its sweaty magic and got my heart rate up. The rest of the week, I ran as usual. Long run tonight!
I've also been reminded how weak my upper body is and, of course, after having two c-sections my lower abs are toast. I love having this workout set up for me, so I don't give up after one or two arm raises or crunches. Tina says to do 12, I'm going to do 12. Or at least as close to 12 as I can muster.
Eating is still going well and looks something like this almost every day:
Breakfast: Green smoothie (spinach, almond milk, chia seeds, ground flax, greek yogurt, frozen banana)
Snack: 1/2 Luna bar
Lunch: Leftovers or whatever I've made myself for the week. This week is was quinoa, corn, and black bean salad.
Snack: 1/2 Luna bar and 2 chunks of cheese
Dinner: This week we've had homemade banana pepper and onion pizza, low-cal chicken parm, smoothies, and zucchini rice.
Snack: Either nothing or a 1/2 cup of frozen yogurt. If I've run that night I usually don't want to eat anything else.
I think, as part of my workout for the week, I'm going to try to convince the husband to hike with me tomorrow. It's my absolute favorite method of exercise (besides swimming) and we have yet to do it this summer. Combine crummy humid weather with having to work around naptime for a child and it has just been impossible. I'm hoping tomorrow just might be the day.
Finally, I wanted to fill all of you fitness fans in on a new favorite of mine. I bought a new set of weights for this bootcamp, after dealing with really light dumbbells for the last couple of years. I figured it was time for an upgrade. A fellow bootcamp participant sent the group the link to these and I couldn't resist them. A 40lb adjustable weight set with dumbbells. I love being able to easily switch the weight I want to use, without having to have 3 different sets of dumbbells floating around. And $40 was in my budget.
I found the same thing happen with me. Back when I lived in Ga and focused more on running, I could hop on the treadmill and bust out 4-5 miles a day. Now that I am doing a 30 min cardio with strength, I just cannot build my running endurance up. After 15 min at a 10 min/mile pace I am done, if anyone else knows if this is common, I would love to know the answer!!