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...

Dig Deeper

The name says it all. It is quite literally the most insane workout I've ever done. I originally started the program last fall, after finishing round 2 of P90X-2. Probably 2 weeks into it, I was bored and made the unfortunate decision to do the splits without being warmed up. Let me tell you, when you can hear and feel something inside of you literally tearing, it's a horrible feeling. Bad choice #2: I thought I could just work it off. Yes, I tried to continue doing Insanity for another week doing modifications (ex. one-legged burpees). I finally decided that wasn't going to work well, so I got it checked out, and I surely had a 2nd-degree tear. AKA "it's not bad enough to be surgical, but it's going to take some time to heal, and will probably never be the same." So I was banned from running, jumping, lunging, squatting to just upper body and a stationary bike. (Also PT.) It was a great day when I got permission to hit the elliptical (which I would normally hate). Probably the first week of January (the injury occurred during Thanksgiving break), I decided I could handle Chalean Extreme. I did some modifications at first...but I started having problems again. So I tried something crazy. I went to see a friend who does "healing touch" therapy. I will be completely honest. It is totally weird. It also totally works. I have no idea how or why, but it's amazing. My hamstring has been doing GREAT since then!

I ended Chalean Extreme right before heading to Mexico for Spring Break. The day I got back, I restarted Insanity. The first month was definitely challenging, but generally the workouts were just about 40 minutes (and probably 10 of that was stretching). I was like, "Yeah, I can hang. I got this." The program's "Rest Week" happened to be my graduation week, which was excellent timing. I had gotten into Zumba a couple of nights a week as well at that point (which is REALLY crazy). Then I started phase 2. Let's just say it's a really good thing I could not make it to Zumba during phase 2 (just too much going on). The first workout, you realize that now your workouts are 60 minutes long, and there's less stretching time. I was like, "What have I done?" If I wasn't such a 'stick-to-the-schedule' person, I may have actually quit. However, by the end of the week, I was feeling a lot better about it. By the time it was over, I was actually kind of sad about it.

Breakdown. It is INSANE. If you don't like working out or haven't worked out, I wouldn't recommend starting here. You must ENGAGE YOUR CORE in every workout, which I love. Seriously, you only do an "ab" workout 1-2 days a week, but you most definitely work your core every single day. On that note, on ab days, I liked to do the ab workout before the big one. Because after cardio conditioning, my first thought is not, "Hey, wouldn't it be great to do insane abs right now?" Don't feel like you have to keep up with them. They take breaks. Modify to keep moving. You'll get there. Know that the workouts are longer in phase 2. Be prepared to sweat like never before. Wear a heart rate monitor! Doesn't have to be super fancy, but I do recommend one with a chest strap for accuracy. I liked doing X2-Yoga on my rest days. Totally optional. Just always #DigDeeper

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 

Strong Is The New Skinny {P90X-2}

Some of you might remember that I completed the whole classic P90X program during my summer break of 2011.  Well, this summer I completed P90X-2.  Yes, number two.  Obviously, P90X wasn't crazy enough.  I have to say that I REALLY liked it.  The three phases are totally different from each other, so you are constantly challenging yourself.  Also, there's a lot of emphasis on working your core while working other parts of your body.  Brilliant.  I can honestly say that P90X-2 has changed my body to be better and stronger.  I can actually do like 3 chin-ups in a row without any assistance.  I remember having to use a chair in P90X.  That doesn't do it for me now.  To get my reps up, I've been using a make-shift pull-up assist band out of a regular resistance band.  Oh, "girly" push-ups are pretty much a thing of the past.  I do push-ups balanced on med balls now.  Although, I still can't do plyo push-ups.  I'm way too uncoordinated.  I can lift more.  I'm faster.  I have better range of motion.  It's wonderful.  (Also, it's really great because I get to eat a lot.  And food is tasty.)  I finished up last week, so this week has been weird.  I've just been doing random workouts.  I did one of my favorite P90X workouts, Kenpo X.  However, I now have to add 5 lb ankle weights and 3 lb dumbbells to get the job done.  Which, is crazy... I remember barely making it through that when I first got it...  I did my favorite Chalean Extreme workouts, Burn Intervals and Burn It Off.  They were okay.  I did some Jillian Michaels' workouts.  My point being, you can't go backwards after finishing something like P90X-2.  Nothing else you've done will give you your workout fix.  I got some great advice to "repeat" it.  I think I will.  Try to dig deeper.  Do more reps.  All that jazz.  However, if someone wants to send me Insanity or even Turbofire, I'd be willing to try them out! 

My Favorite X2 Workouts:

Plyocide

Yoga

PAP Lower

Balance + Power