If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. And this boot camp is challenging me.

Week three is over half way done and I. am. Feeling. it. More than any other week (okay, so more than the past 2 weeks). My muscles are SORE and it throbs to extend my arms, but I”ll take it! This week we did timed circuits. Tina gave us two mini circuits (composed of three exercises each) and you are to complete the first circuit as many times as you can in 10-12 minutes, rest, complete the second circuit as many times as you can in 10-12 minutes and then hit up the cardio equipment for intervals. I added weights to all my exercises because I wanted more of a burn than just using my body weight. Which is plenty, but a couple of dumbbells never hurt anyone J. I surprised myself with how many circuits I was able to complete in the allotted time but I paid for it dearly in my spin (cycling) class. YIKES. Good thing there was man candy stage forward or I would not have been able to pedal any faster. A nice looking instructor is a helpful motivator.

I forgot to take measurements for my 2-week progress chart, but will get back on it next Sunday after week 3 is complete. So far so good – I’m feeling really great about this program! How is everything going for you?

Do it to it,

Ashley

Week 3! I wanted to focus this week on the power of your own thinking. This thought came up when I was at the bank the other day. I hate going to the bank. It’s way across town, I have to walk multiple blocks in the freezing cold just to deposit a check, and there’s always a line. But, I go. Every two weeks, there I am at the bank putting our check in so that we have money to pay our bills. Would I rather just head straight home? Yes. But, do I? No. The bank is on my to-do list. As I was waiting in line the other day I thought to myself, why is that when I’m forced to do something, I just do it – no questions asked. But, when I want to do something for myself that maybe isn’t the most convenient or fun all the time, I can’t get myself to do it? Take working out for example. I don’t always want to hit the gym after a long day at work, but when I do, I am glad I did. It gives me stress relief, time to myself, some peace and quiet (aside from the whirling of machines and clanking weights), and of course the health benefits. Some would say, this is just as important as cashing a check so I have money in my account, no? There is something about the way I think of varying tasks – when, in reality, going to the bank or the grocery store or to pick up dry cleaning is no different than going to the gym. The only thing that differentiates these tasks is that the end result is a lot more tangible than exercising. I go to the bank, I get money. I go to the grocery store, we get dinner. I pick up my dry cleaning, I have clean clothes. I go to the gym, I’m sore and still weigh the same two hours later. But, I have to realize that going to the gym is the exact same as running errands, it just takes a few more times of going to the gym to see those tangible results – a decrease on the scale, a pair of better fitting jeans, quicker metabolism, and increased self-confidence. I need to change going to the gym from a have to do, to a want to do. The Best Body Bootcamp has really helped me to realize that there are ways to vary your workout and utilize a gym, your living room, a weights room, or even an aerobics class to keep things exciting, which is so important to me. So going into week 4 and ending week 3, my new goal is to think differently about exercising. Not to think of it as another to-do on my list, but as something that I want, need and even enjoy. To help me with this, I am writing positive thoughts each day about my progression in this program. Today’s is “I will only get better.”

You will never regret exercising, but you will always regret not exercising.

xoxo,

Becky