INSANITY!

As a way to get fit (in addition to running), J recently tuned me in to the program Insanity. Insanity is produced by the same company, Beach Body, that boasts the at-home workout P90x . However, whereas P90x claims to "get [you] absolutely ripped in 90 days", Insanity prides itself on being a "60-day total body conditioning workout". J has been insistent on using the Insanity system to get himself toned, so I thought that I would join him in his endeavors. I'll (hopefully) get in shape for our August wedding while also increasing my fitness level. It's a win-win situation! Insanity boasts that the maximum-intensity exercises coupled with short periods of rest can burn up to 1,000 calories in one hour. The plyometric drills are designed to couple strength, power, resistance, and ab and core training drills. Therefore, by doing one Insanity workout every day for six days a week, one is supposed to achieve his or her "hardest body ever". In an effort to really measure the effectiveness of Insanity, I decided I would monitor my body measurements. I took my measurements today in order to see my starting point. Here are my starting measurements: Chest: 34 Bust: 36 Waist: 28 Hips: 34 Butt: 38 Thigh: 22 Weight: 127.6 lbs Prior to starting Day 1 of the Insanity workout, Insanity has you take a "Fit Test". The Fit Test itself is super intense! Here's how I fared: Switch kicks: 148 reps Power jacks: 55 Power knees: 100 Power jumps: 20 Globe jumps: 10 Suicide jumps: 11 Push-up jacks: 20 Low plank oblique: 40 Seriously, after the fit test, I was dripping sweat! I'm a little nervous about how Day 1 will fare! However, I am hoping that this program works. I'll keep you posted. Cheers, KZ

New Blog!

As I start my journey toward married life, I've been inspired to begin (or rather, re-begin) blogging. I started my first blog in graduate school but did not maintain it upon graduation. My blog in grad school was devoted to blogging about my successes and challenges during student teaching. Well, that was three years ago. I've been working as a full-time English teacher in Illinois for the past three years. This blog represents a conglomeration of my thoughts on teaching full-time as well as wedding planning full-time while also trying to regain my sanity through running and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Cheers to new beginnings! KZ