Team OC Fitness

As most of you have probably figured out, I love, love, love to workout. I think it's fun. Now, it took me a while to get to this point, but it happened. I'm hooked. And I love a good challenge. I think it was last year that my now alma mater started up free fitness classes for students, faculty, staff, and I guess alumni. They offered Zumba and vinyasa yoga a couple times a week. I didn't jump on board until towards the end of the school year. I didn't think it would be hard enough. But I was wrong. Terribly wrong.

I went to Zumba once, and I was sold. It's a party. A cardio party. And there's pretty much always a way to make a move harder, more intense (or less, depending on what you like). I was impressed. So I went to class for the rest of the semester, hit up the summer classes, and still try to go on Tuesdays or Thursdays when I can make it. Other classes are available, but I prefer the instructor that's there on those days. More intensity. 

This year, they added a kickboxing class on Mondays and Fridays. Again, I didn't think it would be challenging enough so I didn't think much about it. Then, one of my Zumba friends told me about it. Told me how hard it was. And I was like, "challenge accepted." Wow. It's a butt-kicking good time. I mean it's torture. But it's great. And it's hard for me. I love it. I would say it's kind of a mashup of "Insanity" and "Combat." This is from last Monday (with breaks...and some modifications): 

I have yet to go to the yoga class. But here's the thing, I really, really like my Yoga-X. Like a lot. So I don't know. I might try it out at some point. For now, I'm happy with my Zumba and kickboxing...and finishing up X2. 

In other news, I survived my first week of orientation! I'll be on the floor tomorrow! And I've been enjoying all the TV season premieres. I'm obviously a die hard "Grey's Anatomy" fan. But, I also like some "Castle", "Once Upon A Time", and "Parks and Recreation". I watched the pilot for "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D", and it was alright, but I don't know that I'm sold. I also watched "Trophy Wife". Decently funny. What do you watch? Any comedies you'd recommend? Ready go...

{Workout Review} Les Mills Combat

It's been a tradition for the past four years for the brother and I to do a workout program together during the summer. We've done P90X (first 2 summers), P90X-2, and now Combat. It's just a 60-day program. And you're only looking at 30 minutes to 1 hour, 6 days a week. It's pretty fun. Different. But decently fun. The brother thought it was "fun and challenging," but he also wished the intervals were "longer and harder." Here are my thoughts...

Combat is a mix of Karate, Kung Fu, Capoeira, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Tai, Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do, and Boxing. It takes a little while to get in to. Once you have the form and rhythm down, it's easier to get more out of your workout. At the same time, you have to stay focused because it's also really easy to just kind of do it. I ended up adding weighted gloves and ankle weights to the mix, and I kept up with Zumba a couple times a week. When I started Combat, I had just finished Insanity...there's a great deal of difference in intensity level. And it was a little bit difficult for me to adjust. 

The Workouts:

• Kick Start (30 min.), Combat 30 Live (30 min.), Power Kata (45 min.), Extreme Cardio Fighter (60 min.), and Combat 60 Live (60 min.): These all focus on punching and kicking, with some pushups and crunches at the end. Nice little cardio blasts with some arm, leg, and core action. They're pretty fun. And you'll be sopping wet by the end. 
• Power HIIT (30 min.): This one involves some weights. I felt like I was doing the same exercise so much that I was just wasted. 
• Shock Plyo HIIT (30 min.): I love me some P90X-2 Plyocide, but this was not my cup of tea. Instead of mixing up the moves, like with P90X, I felt like I was doing the same thing so much that those muscles were done for.  
• Upper Body Blow Out (30 min.): It's upper body. It's kind of repetitive. I felt like I needed more. 
• Lower Body Lean Out (30 min.): Lunges. Lunges. Lunges. More lunges. I don't recommend doing this one with ankle weights...quad killer.  
• Core Attack (16-ish min.): Your core will burn. I did like that this went between moves in plank and being on your back. There's also some lower back and bum work. 
• Stretch & Strength (16-ish min.): It's just not Yoga-X. It's a whole lot shorter. But it's not Yoga-X. I do like that you can easily add it after a workout because it's not long.     

While I do enjoy punching and kicking, I don't think I would do the 60-day program straight through again. I like it as more of a supplement to P90X and P90X-2. There's probably some hybrid calendar out there that combines those programs. And, if I'm short on time, it's nice to have some 30-minute workouts available. I would recommend this more to people who are just getting into extreme fitness. It's got some great modifications to take the impact out too, if you're needing that. 

I'm currently into week 3 of P90X-2 again. It's been a year. I was unbelievably sore the first week. But it's incredible to see how much more I'm able to do. It's great stuff. It's my favorite. That is all. 

BSN, RN

What a week it has been! I don't even know where to begin. I guess the biggest news is that I am officially Catherine Crowder, BSN, RN!!! I am a little bit excited about this, in case you couldn't tell. It is very encouraging that everyone I graduated with has been able to pass the NCLEX (so far). I know I couldn't have done it without them, some pretty great professors and clinical instructors, and, of course, the mother (who is also a nurse). It is pretty ironic that I've ended up where I have. If you had asked me in middle school if I was going to be a nurse like my mom, I would've laughed in your face. But here I am! And I'm so excited about doing pediatric nursing! Love those kiddos. 

Now, that I know I have for sure passed the NCLEX, I will tell you that I was a complete wreck on Tuesday when I took the test. There's really no words to describe it. I pretty much always very calm and collected. I don't get nervous about tests. That morning, I woke up, worked out, showered, painted my nails, got ready, and then it hit me. This is it. Like I have no plan B if this doesn't work. (Although the mother thinks I could be a trainer because "you like working out and telling other people what to do"...uh, thanks?) I made it to the testing center with time to spare (I don't recommend that), got all checked in, got to my station, and started the test. I think the first couple were easy. But I got to one point, and was like, "I have no idea what is happening anymore." Thank goodness I was able to start back at Zumba that night!  

My advice on taking the NCLEX would be to do LOTS of practice questions. I wouldn't worry about content. There's literally no way to know what you're going to get. 

In other news, I finished up Insanity and have started Combat, complimented by Zumba. Party. Because the only thing better than one workout a day...is more than one! The brother ran off to Maui for his senior trip without me. Joke is on him...I cleaned out his room...you don't even want to know. Let's just say he's no longer allowed to take food back there. Today, I finally got the chance to head down to Moore, OK and help with some of the cleanup. The video coverage and the pictures don't do it justice. It's just incredible. 

So...coming soon:

• {Workout Review} Insanity
• Banana Bread Bars
• Spicy Italian Chicken