One Mom's Journey Through Insanity: Part II

60 days.

It was so hard that I didn't finish in sixty days. I got a few days behind in the second month, but I can say that I did it. I finished the Insanity program and I feel like a better person for it.

Did I have out-of-this-world results? No.

Did I have results that I am proud of? Yes.

I am in better shape than I was 60 days ago. The fact of the matter is that when we aren't combining exercise with proper nutrition we aren't going to see results as quickly. That's the case for me. I didn't loose a single pound with this program. It's because I ate an occasional big mac. I indulged in party food. If I felt like eating something I did. I didn't say no to birthday cake, chips, cookies. I probably should have (I know I should have), but I just didn't. If I crossed Insanity out of the equation I would be in a different place today...probably ten pounds flabbier, if I had to guess.  The program made the difference. I see the benefits of this program. It is difficult and crazy at times, but it pushes you to new limits. I did get better as I went.  My fit test results are proof of that:

On March 26, 2012:

Switch Kicks: 45
Power Jacks: 36
Power Knees: 60
Power Jumps: 34
Globe Jumps: 7
Suicide Jumps: 12
Push-up Jacks: 12
Low Plank Oblique: 41

On June 4, 2012:

Switch Kicks: 62  ...17 more
Power Jacks: 67 ...31 more
Power Knees: 120 ...60 more
Power Jumps: 65 ...31 more
Globe Jumps: 13 ...6 more
Suicide Jumps: 21 ...9 more
Push-up Jacks: 41 ...29 more
Low Plank Oblique: 72 ...28 more

I have a six pack...I'm sure of it. I am? Yes, but it is covered by a layer of fat and droopy skin (the fat I plan to loose, the droopy skin will probably remain--a badge from 4 tummy stretching pregnancies). It's where I am right now and I am fine with that. But that's not to say I don't plan to do better. I am not stopping here, this is a just a check in point.

Over the next few months I am going to focus more on what I put into my body. I am going to go for a second round of Insanity I think...after I take a break for the week. I am switching things up with some running and other easier workouts. (I never thought I would say that running is easy. Ha!)

So, the pictures. Nothing extreme to see here:

Tuesday on our Facebook page I asked when was the last time you pushed yourself beyond your limits? This is it for me.  Pushing past our limits in life is the only way to get out of the box that we put ourselves into (or the box that others put us into). Yes, I am a mom. --There was a period on that sentence. That was my box for a while and I found it to be a bit cramped in there.

For a long time I thought--is this what motherhood is? Putting everything and everyone ahead of myself to my own detriment? That was what I thought motherhood was. Those were the limits I put onto myself.  I'm trying to stretch past the limits of that label to be a better mom, MORE than a mommy. I am proud of the gift that I am giving my girls--a healthy, happy mommy who can run and jump and play with them without feeling tired, achy, and out of breath. A mom who can show them the importance of caring for themselves,  and lead them by example.

Are you pushing past your perceived 'limits' today?  How?