Working It Out

I discovered, during my three weeks of an awful hayfever attack, that even allergies- if they're severe enough--can interfere with my fitness plan. And I did not like that one little bit.

I had to stop exercising for three weeks. THREE WEEKS. But I couldn't do anything that required exertion because I was certain that I would cough up a lung. Or two. And I kind of need those things. 

This meant I couldn't walk the dogs for a couple of weeks either. But that was ok because Birdie took my place. I started walking them again last week and it went fine. Even though I hacked most of the time. No worries, my lungs remained intact.  

This week, I started back on my Synergy workouts. And I realized just how much I have missed working out. NOT because I had a difficult time. On the contrary! I was back at it and doing even better and working harder than I was before that blasted allergy attack.

I actually missed working out. Hush you say! I know! But it's so true. I was so used to working out on that Synergy schedule, I missed it when I couldn't get it done. But I'm back. I'm stronger than before. The stamina is much better. The motivation returned. It's just fabulous!  

There is a change, however. This time, I have put my own spin on the Synergy plan. 

• Monday/Wednesday/Fridays are for Sprint 8 and weights. 
• Tuesday/Thursdays are for plyometrics and stretching. 
• Then there are the 7 days/week of walking pups one mile in the mornings before school. 
• Saturdays and Sundays are my down days. Unless I miss a workout during the week, then I make it up on the weekend. 

I feel like this is a doable plan not to mention an enjoyable one! BUT, regardless of the plan, I believe the key to this whole fitness thing is developing the habit of fitness.

I've tried so many different ways to get fit. Some of you have read about them on the blog. And I've enjoyed most of them but they didn't stick. Which I thought was due to my short attention span and the fact that I get so bored so easily.

But now that I tried the whole 8 week commitment to the Synergy plan, I can see how it was more about getting into the habit of working out. Once the working out becomes a habit, it really doesn't matter what you do. Your body just HAS to do something. I like this! I wish I had discovered it sooner. But I'm glad I know it now!

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get your fitness habit going! I can't even begin to tell you how much better you'll feel!

If you're already in the habit, what's your best fitness advice? 

A Little of This and Some of That

This week has been crazy because of Labor Day. Whenever the husband has a day off during the week, it throws me off kilter. I thought yesterday was Tuesday all day long. But, thanks to Mrs. 4444s and Friday Fragments, I know that today is Friday!

It's still so hot around here. Today, at noon my time (eastern standard time) several of us are going to stop what we're doing and pray for fall- of course I'll be focusing on begging for cooler temps--if anyone would like to join us please feel free to do so!

Birdie and I took the dogs to the county park yesterday. BIG mistake. HUGE error in judgement. And it was all heat related. As in- it was too freaking hot to be out at the county park with the dogs. Poor Tucker was so hot I had to pick him up and carry him. We stopped at shelters along the way and gave them water and 90% of the path we took was in the shade so it could have been worse. HOWEVER, the mosquitoes---there's no way they could have been worse! If we stopped for a nanosecond our legs looked like we were wearing black knee socks. Hate those things.

I'm just a few pages from being finished with the first book of THOSE BOOKS- I'll let you know what I think and whether or not I plan to continue through to the bitter end soon. I get a kick out of the fact that everyone knows exactly which books I'm taking about when I write 'THOSE BOOKS'.

DoodleBug went to her practicum school yesterday for the first time and she loved it! This semester the students have to spend an entire day at their assigned schools (every Thursday) and all of the schools are Title 1 schools. DoodleBug had a fantastic experience and said, "I never want to teach anywhere else!" I always knew that's where her heart was. Some of the girls didn't have such a good experience because of the classroom teacher---it wasn't pretty. And that's all I'll say about that. For now.

The mosquitoes were out in full force again this morning. The dogs look at me like I've lost my mind. But most people are used to what I call 'the low-country salute.' Which is the way we constantly slap our arms, legs and faces against the attack of the mosquitoes and gnats. It would be quite comical if it wasn't annoyingashell.

Sunday marks the end of Synergy, Week 3 and the beginning of Week 4. It's going well. If you're interested in finding out more or checking out my journal, click right here!

That's pretty much it y'all! Have a fantastic weekend!

Synergy Fitness and the End of a Challenge

This first Sunday in September marks the end of the Summer Sizzle Challenge. But it certainly doesn't mark the end of the summer HEAT and HUMIDITY. Stupid weather.

I have been a terrible challenger this summer. I got bored and then I just didn't care to track and then I just didn't care at all. I blame in on the aforementioned HEAT and HUMIDITY that caused me to lose my motivation and eat lots of frozen yogurt. Yes, I really am blaming the weather and I'm not ashamed.

But the challenge was good in many ways---

• I met new bloggers/challengers
• I learned more about myself 
• I learned tons about true organic foods and about those evil monsters at the Monsanto corporation
• I increased my fitness awareness and level
• I discovered Phil Campbell's Synergy workout program featuring the Sprint 8
• I walked quickly up three flights of stairs and did not have to stop at the top for a few minutes before continuing to the car

So even though I wasn't very good to the challenge, the challenge was very good to me.

And Rochelle? She's just the best challenge host EVER! I adore her! Her leadership qualities are phenomenal and her care for the challengers was felt and appreciated by all.

All in all, I only lost about 10 pounds- at least that's what I can figure from my best guess. And that's fine. It's not about the weight loss at this point. I'm focusing on increasing my fitness level now and I'm pouring 100% into that.

Yes, I need to lose a bunch of weight. But the weight gods (as Rochelle calls them) are not in my corner right now. So I called forth the fitness gods and we're kicking ass!

I'm keeping a daily journal of the Synergy workout plan that you are more than welcome to read by clicking here. And feel free to leave comments there too! I've just completed Week 2 of the 8 week commitment and I'm already noticing differences in shape and fitness!

I won't be posting any before and after pictures from the challenge. HOWEVER, I am planning on posting before and after shots for the Synergy program. Only 6 weeks left.

There are some leaves from one of the neighbor's trees falling into my yard right now. Which is a promising sign of fall---even though it's hard to appreciate when the temperature is 91 degrees. The weather app on my phone says the humidity is only 66%. The weather app is lying.

I'm not joining in another challenge for the fall. I'm on my own with this Synergy workout. BTW, I emailed Phil Campbell (the guy who wrote the book) and he emailed me back! He also put me in touch with the woman who is gathering research. She lost 80 pounds just doing the Synergy program. And I do believe here because she's not asking for money. LOL Seriously, head over to my Synergy tab and follow the links. Maybe this is something that will work for you!

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Regardless of your personal journey- I wish you great success!

Summer Sizzle- And a Rant

It's time for the Summer Sizzle update for the end of Week 12 and the beginning of Week 13! And guess what Week 13 is? Our final week! WooHoo!

I really did begin my Synergy workout this week. I even made a page devoted to keeping a Synergy journal. It's at the top of the blog if anyone wants to see how the first week went, or you can just click here. I thought that keeping the journal right here on the blog would help keep me accountable. We'll see.

I would love to tell y'all how I have enjoyed rocking the hell out of this challenge, but that would be a lie. I haven't- as far as weight loss goes. However, as far as fitness is concerned? I think that I might have. Remember those 3 flights of stairs? And now that I've started the Synergy workout, I have to say that fitness has become a major goal.

Weight loss stopped being my main focus a while back when it switched to healthy eating. I can't tell y'all how much better we feel now that we're eating only organic foods- veggies are certified organic and from local farms; dairy products and meats are from small, family owned farms that don't use machinery or give growth hormones or antibiotics to their livestock; grass fed beef, free range chickens/turkey, wild caught fish (fresh from the docks I might add); sugars are only organic cane sugar or honey; flour is unbleached and gluten free; we buy spring water that had to be researched just so we could be sure it was actual spring water with little processing (OH, and there are natural springs right here in our state and one is close to us so I'm going to start filling up there...it's FREE); soaps and shampoos, etc. contain no chemicals... And I know it makes a difference because, two weeks ago, we were out of conditioner and I had some left over from when I bought any old thing from Wally World. I didn't stop smelling that stuff for 3 days and it gave me a headache and made me all itchy...yep, won't be buying anything like that ever again.

And now for the rant portion of the post: I've learned so much about fitness and healthy eating. I've learned which manufacturers to avoid because they claim 'natural' but are not organic and which ones are affiliated in any way whatsoever with the Monsanto Corporation. I've learned that it is nothing less than a complete and utter travesty that our government is allowing big business (and this has been going on for AGES) like the Monsanto Corporation to produce GMO crops and tell the American public that our food is safe and nutritious and even the supreme court who enables Monsanto to run the small, family owned farms out of business. Disgusting. And I don't even know the half of it, I'm sure. But that's enough to make me sick and tired of it. And scared, to be honest. It's not good when our food supply is not only being tainted but being allowed to be tainted--dare I say- encouraged to be tainted.

So, yes, I've lost weight. But that's not the best thing or even the most important. My fitness level has improved tremendously and I'm completely motivated to boost it even more. The foods I feed my family and the products we use are healthy and chemical free. There's no turning back now! And we're all the better for it! And we are more encouraged than ever before to go off the grid. It's time to say, "ENOUGH."

Week 12 - (begin August 19) - SURPASS YOUR FITNESS/WEIGHT GOALS FROM WEEK 10
I definitely surpassed my fitness goals from Week 10 by beginning the Synergy workout!

Week 13 - (begin August 26) - LOW CARB WEEK & NO EATING OUT
We don't eat that many carbs in a day or week and we rarely to never eat out, so this really shouldn't be a problem.


Have a great last week of Summer Sizzle y'all!