WEEK 11 WRAP-UP: JAMIE EASON LIVE FIT PROGRAM

It's almost over!

On the one hand, I'm kind of sad.

On the other hand, I'm excited.

I'm excited to complete this program and be able to say that I made it through. I don't know if I've ever completed a full program from start to finish before. I usually lose steam about halfway through the program. Even though I missed a week, I'm at the end of Week 11 and next week is the last week.

I actually really enjoyed Week 11. It was circuits with less weight but more reps, and cycling through a circuit and THEN resting. I had to remind myself that this workout was more about reps and less about weight. But it was...dare I say, FUN?

But I will be honest. I know that I have not made the progress I had hoped I would because my nutrition is not 100% on point. It's not horrible, but I know that it could be better. There were some slip ups and some cheating. Okay, more than a few times of cheating, but I know that it's the reason for not losing weight.

And I know that it's not all about the number on the scale, but as a woman, I want to see that number go down! I'm just saying. But I know my problem. And I know that it's about progress, not perfection, so I won't beat myself up too much. Plus my husband says that he can see changes (even if I don't see them so much).

I just want to shake my fist at PCOS. It's a horrible disorder that makes it difficult to lose weight and makes you crave carbs! Any woman who is trying to lose weight's worst nightmare.

Oh well. I just have to keep chugging along. I have to remind myself that I have lost 30lbs since 2011...and that I used to be 30lbs heavier. It's these last set that are hard to get rid of.

Plus, FOOD IS DELICIOUS.

I really wish I loved vegetables.

WEEK 10 WRAP-UP: JAMIE EASON LIVE FIT PROGRAM

I have a confession to make.

Week 9 was a wash. I tweaked my neck and shoulder after I tripped on my suitcase (I know, a likely story) and was out of commission for the week. I couldn't even sit up straight without being in pain. Luckily, I was able to make an appointment with my chiropractor who clicked me back into place. It took about three days after that to feel back to normal and not sore anymore. 

This is real life. And accidents and bumps in the road happen.

In a weird twist of events, I actually missed going to the gym.

I'm happy to report that I was back in the gym this week and completed Week 10. 

So I must say that this was probably my least favorite part of the entire program. That's because it incorporated "active rest" period of plyometric type stuff such as mountain climbers, jump squats, burpees (I hate burpees) and such.

I survived.

But man, the third day in the gym after doing mountain climbers on Monday, my IT bands were killing. I didn't feel all the soreness at first, but as soon as I tried to do another mountain climber, my legs about fell off.

I'm not doing the carb cycling as the program suggests in the nutrition department, but I'm following a food plan laid out by my sister in law who is an aspiring bodybuilder. The food plan is set up to help me lose 15 lbs or so. It's a lot of food to eat!

WEEK 8 WRAP-UP: JAMIE EASON LIVE FIT PROGRAM

I've made it through two months of this program! 8 weeks doesn't sound too long, but considering that it takes time and dedication and commitment to complete any fitness program, I'm so proud to have made it this far.

This week included supersets and cardio.

This is a short and sweet update, because it's just more of the same!

Week 7 Wrap-Up: Jamie Eason Live Fit Program

My, my, my where has the time gone. You know, when I first embarked on this 12-week adventure, I never imagined that it was going to go by quickly. I figured more that it would be slow, possibly tedious, and easy to quit.

The funny thing is, I haven't quit! There have been some bumps in the road. Some stumbling blocks. Some cheating. But overall, I have been getting myself to the gym. And it's been awesome.

I wish I could say that I've been 100% faithful to the nutrition plan, but this is real life people.

However, the thing that I have learned in the process of this program is that when you want something enough, you're willing to put the work in like never before.

I have this goal, this desire, this yearning to start our family. And I know that a lot of it is on me. I know, I know, it's a 50/50 partnership with your spouse, but let's be real....I will be the one with the bun in the oven. And in a true, valiant effort to make things happen, I know that I need to get in shape.

If anything, exercising is just a good idea. Period. If there are added benefits such as lowered insulin resistance, less PCOS symptoms, and regulated hormones, then that's just a bonus.

Week 7 of the Jamie Eason Live Fit Program was more of the same from weeks 5 and 6, a little different, but cardio on non-leg days and dedicated leg days.

You know, I see the same people at the gym nearly every day. And even when I go at different times. Which makes me wonder, DO THESE PEOPLE WORK? How can they spend 3 hours at the gym everyday? Who knows. I don't. Maybe they do. Maybe they don't, it's none of my business.

But I can see that it's that laser type focus that helps you get things done. Build those muscles. Cut that physique.

Here's to Week 8.

Week 6 Wrap-Up: Jamie Eason Live Fit Program

Halfway done with the program! And I'm feeling great! And I feel like I'm Internet yelling! (which I wouldn't do in real life....it's easy to be excited online.)

Week 6 was interesting. My schedule was jam packed with things to do besides the gym, but I still made time to workout Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday. I decided to make the effort to go into work early so that I could leave early and hit up the gym. Or, like on Tuesday, where I felt like Superwoman because I dealt with some fraudulent charges on my debit card (thanks random person in South Carolina), walked my dog twice, went to get gas instead of running on fumes, had a photoshoot at the State Fair, and finished the day off at the gym. Under "normal" circumstances, I would have skipped the gym, but something in me was like, "you have time, you should go". So I did. Must be some extra energy from the regularity of working out. Let's go with it.

Week 6 workouts are identical to Week 5, with the incorporation of cardio on four days a week. I'm super excited that Gilmore Girls is now on Netflix because I have the perfect way to pass the time on the elliptical. I'm hoping that by adding cardio back into the workout, it'll start to burn a little more fat. 

The crazy thing about working out is that you want to see changes. Okay, I want to see changes. But because you see yourself everyday, it's a lot harder to see your own changes. That's why I'm making an effort to take photos weekly so hopefully, when I look back, I'll see how far I've come. I've found that relying on the number on the scale is a lost cause. 

Can I just say that I want the scale to budge?! Just a few pounds. While I'm glad that it hasn't gone up and since my heaviest-ever weight, I've lost 30lbs or so....it would be nice to see it go down a few more pounds. Especially with all my effort! 

Food and nutrition is more of the same. I must say, however, that I'm a fan of my protein shakes that I drink as soon as I get home from the gym. Jamie talks about supplementation and I think that the protein shakes are a huge part of that! 

I've been using Nature's Best Isopure Low Carb Dutch Chocolate Protein Powder. I also use it for the protein bars I've made. I love it because it tastes good when mixed with water (which seems rare in the protein shake world) and it packs 50g of protein per serving. I haven't found any other protein powder with that much protein. Most have 20-25g per serving. This one has double that! I've purchased it from Puritan's Pride and Amazon.

I've also been using Advocare's Catalyst, which is their BCAA (branch chain amino acids) product before I go workout. I can't say I notice a difference between taking them and not because since I've started this program, I've taken them every workout. I'd try it without them, but why do that?!

I can't believe that Week 7 is already here. At the outset, 12 weeks seems like a long time. But with how fast the days go by, it's really not that long!