Though I haven’t officially booked the hotel yet (we have to soon because it’s a huge event that books fast), I just took off work today for one of our favorite trips every year! Ocean City, Maryland muscle car cruise. 

I have a lot to work on to upgrade my Chevelle transmission this winter/spring yet, and to book the room but it’s still exciting. It’s always the third weekend in May and my first time at the beach and in a swimsuit for the year. 

16 weeks til we go! Really pushing my workouts and exploring nutrition plan options as I learn more about nutrition and my own body, needs and goals. Honestly I will be driving most of the time and whooping up on lame Mustangs in my manual, big block ride, but I’d still like the option to run on the beach in my sports bra, and wear my swimsuit top while I cruise!

Stoked for hitting the machines tonight (with heavy weights!) and burning with HIIT. Focusing the rest of the afternoon on this web project and will probably hit it back up again tonight after my workout. So thankful to have that flexibility and work with me at all times. 

Since I know a lot of you work out in the morning, how are you doing with your goals today? Any great pics of your hard work/sweat?

http://danellesheree.tumblr.com/progress

At this point I’m not comfortable putting photos of me online that show more than the most recent ones. Mostly because I have an professional web career, not because of any self image issues. I feel strange knowing my colleagues could search for my design portfolio and find pics of me half nude, even if they are just weight loss photos. Maybe I’ll get some gym clothes photos up, but I have horrible mirrors and my husband’s been away a lot so I can’t nail him down to take some for me yet. He knows he’s on deck though!

Might try on the “before” dress again soon for better comparisons.

Finishing up my sixth week of Get Lean workout, and tonight I had to mix it up. Did 3 circuits for upper body, but used 10 lb weights and took down the reps where I absolutely had to. I’m busting out 20 pushups now, at least for my first circuit and the other two are 15 pushups for that exercise. Not too shabby from starting where 10 were difficult 6 weeks ago. I really enjoy pushups too!

HIIT on recumbent bike was tough when I began, since I’ve been splitting with the treadmill now it’s been a week since I did this exact workout on the bike. When I began tonight I forgot how tough and intense it is, but I pushed through for 1:1 minute intervals til the end! My heart rate was racing, but I also bump up the resistance for my high intervals to about 7/8. Toward the end I really push with all I have because the thoughts of being able to get to the end and pace myself (to a point) are out the window. Balls to the wall.

Tomorrow is legs again, my hamstrings are still killing me from the extra squats I did with a 30lb bar on my shoulders Tuesday, but I love the burn, especially with legs.

Now I just have to figure out a new workout to begin next week that has the same lean goal, and same days of week but different exercises. Twice upper and Twice lower paired with 30 mins of cardio has really been working for me without overwhelming me time-wise. And the better I get the more extra minutes I squeeze in too.

Eating clean is going great. Really looking forward to my new issue of Muscle and Fitness Hers… waiting…..!

- Rock on,
Danelle 

For Christmas, I didn’t skip a beat for my workout schedule or nutrition goals. I didn’t gorge or have to tell myself this morning that it’s just water weight. Losing 1 more lb was a super sweet surprise to wake up to!

During my 3 upper body circuits last night, I realized how easily I can bust out 15 pushups now! They are still hard to get in (especially the 3rd circuit when I’m dying) but I feel like Thursday’s upper circuit I might try 18 pushups for each circuit. 

Last night I did a total of 45 pushups between my three circuits. I have been at 15 pushups per circuit for about two weeks now. Thursday that will make 54 if I do 18 for each circuit, which puts me from 90 a week to 99 - might as well bust out one more yet.

In a week or two I think I’ll be up to 20 reps on all exercises -  pushups are my only hold up for 20 reps right now. The cable row is 15 but I have that on 40lbs because I like doing it with more resistance - really gets my heart rate going especially since it follows pushups. I can easily do that to 20 if I lessen the weight.

Once I hit 20 reps on all 5 exercises in my three circuits, I’m hitting the circuits 4 times. Whew! I may need more like 2 minutes rest or so in before the last circuit to make my goal but that’s better than stopping.

I tried a new HIIT last night on the treadmill instead of bike for the first time so it was only 20 mins instead of 30 that I did on the bike. It’s a lot harder but I did 1:1 intervals which I’m pretty happy with to start out. 

My goal is simply to do all of my scheduled workouts with intensity and eat clean so I can lose body fat. So although I do weigh myself almost every day my goal isn’t tied to a specific weight. I do have a round about number I’d like to be (130 lb. with muscle definition) but I’m fine with being patient with that number as a build muscle and burn body fat. Today I am 142 lbs. That only puts me 13 lbs above ideal fitness maintenance level. And it’s only December!

I started my current goal of getting lean in November the week before Thanksgiving. Saw my first two pounds shed after two weeks of adjusting my diet and working out with clearer goals.

Losing my 5th pound in 3 weeks is exciting. I’ve been working out for a few years, but truth is I’ve been eating crappy for a few months and not keeping up with a training regimen. When I do I usually lose a few and then stop but this time I’m learning how to eat cleaner and keep up exercise variety for the rest of my life.