A fresh start

Today is the last day of 2012.  I am sitting in a Holiday Inn in one of my favorite Texas cities, Austin.  Tonight I will ring in 2013 with my husband and daughter.  We have been in Texas for five months now.  Since getting here, I have been struggling with maintaining my healthy lifestyle.  I really have no one to blame, but myself.  I wish I could blame it on all the yummy Tex Mex and barbecue that I hadn't been able to enjoy for the last six years...but I can't.  I wish I could blame it on drinking too much Shiner Bock beer...but I can't.  I wish I could blame it on not having enough time to exercise...but I can't.  The cold, hard truth is that I let myself slip into some really horrendous eating habits when it comes to sweets.

I did well when we first arrived.  I gained a few pounds during the move, but nothing a good week of healthy eating and regular exercise couldn't take care of.  I was working out regularly with Insanity and running to prepare for a half-marathon in November.  The problem was that I wasn't eating healthy.  I thought I could allow myself a bite of candy or a cupcake with my daughter here and there.  Boy, was I wrong!  I can't just have a bite...I eat the whole bag...literally.  It's painful for me to admit publicly.  But I have to. 

After I ran the race in November, I gave myself a two week break from exercise.  Biggest mistake ever!!  Especially since it was right in the middle of Thanksgiving and then the Christmas holidays.  I avoided the scale, but knew I was in trouble when I had a had time getting my jeans on.  Plus, I just felt horrible.  No energy which of course made it harder to get myself moving again.  I finally got on the scale and there it was...a number I hadn't seen since the summer of 2011.  Ugh! 

So on December 19th I got my head straight and made a plan.  I didn't want to wait until 2013 to start.  I went back to a program that I really enjoyed the first time, P90X, but this time I am mixing in some Insanity workouts because they are too much fun!  I have gotten the workouts in daily.  However, my daily nutrition hasn't been where it needs to be.  That is the part that has become my New Year's Resolution.  I will get back on track and limit the sugar and processed junk! 

During this entire time, I've had people in my life that inspire me.  Some of them have been friends that have told me that my own weight loss journey has inspired them to get moving and get healthier.  Every day I see posts from my Team Beachbody coaches and some other friends that post regularly about nutrition and fitness.  I'm so thankful to have all of these inspirations in my life.  I haven't been doing what I know I need to do for the last several months.  However, every day is a new day and I know I can get back to where I want to be. 

Healthy Living Goals for 2013:

1. Eat healthy.  Don't allow things that will tempt me into the house.  My husband is my watchdog on this one.  :-)  Start cooking cleaner recipes.  Print out and save the neat ideas you see every day on Facebook and MyFitnessPal!!!

2. Keep moving.  Finish 90 days of P90X/Insanity hybrid.  Run at least one half-marathon and at least five 5k or 10k races.  Score a 300 on the April Army PT test.

3. Blog more to keep myself accountable and encourage others.  Post more on my Facebook fitness page. 

4.  Enjoy time with my family and friends.  Cherish every moment because life is shorter than we think.

5.  Work hard and do my best to encourage future leaders in the Army Veterinary Corps.

Happy New Year!  I wish everyone a happy and health 2013!!

A YEAR AGO......

I was twenty pounds heavier and considered overweight with 32% body fat.

I wore size 10 or 12 clothing.

I wouldn’t be caught dead in a bikini.

I was frustrated with myself for being overweight.

I wanted to improve and sustain a higher level of fitness.

I was sick of ‘dieting’.

I was tired and never felt like I got enough sleep.

I had nagging lower back pain.

I hated running and push-ups only did both because the Army made me.

I ate a lot of processed foods that claimed to be healthy.

I rarely cooked.

I WANTED TO CHANGE.

TODAY......

I am not overweight at 25% body fat.

I wear size 6 clothing.

I bought a bikini, wore it on a cruise, and look forward to wearing it more in Texas this summer.

I am proud of myself for finally not being overweight.

I earned the Army’s Physical Fitness Badge twice and ran a half-marathon in less than two hours.

I don’t ‘diet’.  I am a conscious eater.

I feel energized most of the time even on days when I wake up at 0400 to exercise.

I still have periodic lower back pain, but much less frequently.

I love running and all forms of exercise and would continue to do them frequently even if I left the Army today.

I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and very few things out of a box any more.

I cook several times a week.

I AM HEALTHY!

This journey isn’t over though.  Life is full of change and challenges.  I learned a lot about my eating habits, my time management issues, and my body over the last year.  Learning to make exercise a regular part of life was the easy part thanks to Team Beachbody programs.  At-home fitness with a Coach and accountability groups was exactly what I needed to keep me motivated to exercise almost every day, even when traveling.  My Fitness Pal and Spark People are two websites that helped me keep food journals and also connect me to a wealth of great healthy living resources and other people with similar goals.  Most importantly though, my friends and family were supportive and shared their own experiences and challenges with me.

I am still a work in progress.  I have issues with overeating.  My husband has been known to say, “Stephanie is a good eater”.  That isn’t exactly a compliment.  Put a gallon of my favorite ice cream, a delicious pizza, cakes, cookies, candies, a juicy hamburger, plate of enchiladas…I could go on….bottom line is that I can eat it all and without much moderation.  I know that I still have those triggers.  I don’t believe in depriving myself and obviously we all need food to live.  However, I have found that I do better if I just avoid certain things.  Once I have a bite, I want more and before I know it, I’ve consumed a zillion calories that no amount of exercise will reverse.

So how will I keep the weight off and continue to live a healthy life?

1.    Daily exercise with variety every few months.  I just started a new program, Insanity.  Loving it so far and I will blog about it soon!

2.    Running and other physical challenges.  Signed up for the Rock & Roll Half Marathon in San Antonio on 11 November 2012.  Thinking about signing up for a Tough Mudder in Austin in October 2012!

3.    Finding new activities to be a part of with Cesar and Amelia.  We love softball and Amelia is interested in dance, swimming, and I think she would enjoy gymnastics.  Biking and hiking are on my list as well.

4.    Continue my food journaling.  Try new recipes and search for those that my husband and daughter will eat, too.

5.    Stay active as an Independent Team Beachbody Coach.  The support I have found through this company has been phenomenal.  There are a lot of different ways to exercise and eat right.  What I love about Beachbody is the genuine support that Coaches offer.  I obviously have a full-time job as an Army officer, but I have time to help other people on their healthy life journey.  Support really is the key!  That’s why I was never successful before.

6.    Blog more often.  It helps to make goals public.  Even though no one reading this probably cares if I don’t do all these things, I have always had a strong competitive nature and desire to keep my word.  So now that it’s out there for the world to see, I have to honor this commitment.

Thanks for reading!  Below are some photos of my progress over the last year.

June 2011: Before I started the Ten Minute Trainer program

July 2012: Post Ten Minute Trainer, Slim in Six, P90X, lots of running, and one week of Insanity

 My Beachbody progression from June 2011 through 1 July 2012

 June 2011: Having fun on Abbey Road in London.  Those clothes fall off me now!

June 2012: Happy and healthy with my wonderful husband and little girl

Reflecting on my fitness goals

April was a big month for me fitness wise. Twice a year, I have to take the Army Physical Fitness Test. This generally occurs in April and October. Last October I succeeded in one goal which was to earn the Army PT Badge. Now the challenge to myself in April was to keep that badge and shave more time off my run...maybe even enough to get a perfect score. Back in December, I also decided that I wanted to run a half-marathon. There's an annual one about 45 minutes from where I live in Germany. It takes place every April and the course goes through the German wine country.

On April 20th, I took the PT test and on the 22nd, I ran the half-marathon. My running goals were to finish the two-mile run in less than 15:54 and the half-marathon (13.1 miles) in less than 2 hours, 10 minutes. End result: I missed the 15:54 by 7 seconds, but I killed the half-marathon goal and finished in 1 hour, 56 minutes!!!

I was disappointed that I didn't get that perfect score on the PT test. I even thought about taking it again within the next week, but after the 13.1 miles, I was a bit worn out. :-)

What's amazing to me is that I had fun both days. Yes, I said fun! This from a person that less than a year ago, hated running. I ran because I have to in the Army, but I never really enjoyed it. I know that losing weight helped me tremendously with my running. I never thought I would enjoy it though. But with every mile I logged while training, I discovered that I felt so invigorated after a run. My energy levels on the days I ran soared.

So I guess I can call myself a runner now. Unfortunately since running the half-marathon, I have noticed a few aches in my feet that I didn't have before. I have run a few miles here and there over the last couple weeks and I keep feeling the same mild pain in my right foot. The last thing I want to do is create a chronic injury. I've read so much about runners overdoing it and causing themselves issues that prevent their ability to run. So I'm going to back off a bit over the next month or so.

There are plenty of other exercise routines that I enjoy. So thankful that I found Team Beachbody. I'm on my last week of the P90X program. For the most part, I have enjoyed it. The yoga and kenpo routines aren't my favorites, but the strength and plyometric routines are awesome. I know the program helped me grow stronger and assisted with my running as well. This program will definitely be one that I continue. Just wish I had done a better job following the nutritional guidance. I know my results would have been much better if I had. The good news is that I am fitter and stronger, even if my weight and body fat percentage held steady.

I have also realized something else about myself. I have to keep challenging myself and I do get bored with the same routine over and over again. One great thing about being a Team Beachbody Coach is the great discounts on their workout and nutritional programs. And there are so many to choose from. There's a new nutritional program that I am starting on May 21st. It's called Ultimate Reset. It's not about calorie restriction. It's about overhauling my diet and cutting out processed foods. If I am able to stick with the plan, I hope to be on my way to better control over my sweet tooth. That is still my biggest struggle. I can seriously down a pint of ice cream and not blink. Easter candy...wish I could just eat one piece, but I can't. Sugar is definitely my weakness. I did very well last summer when I was focused on getting to a healthy weight. But then I let myself overdo it again and again. I made exercise a habit so I was able to do that and not regain any weight, but I really need to get it under control. So 21 days of clean eating will be my jump start to achieving that goal. I think this will be a bigger challenge than the PT test, half-marathon, or P90X. Wish me luck!

Day 70 - P90X Phase II and other thoughts on fitness

For the last several weeks I have been telling myself that I need to update my blog. Can't believe I let a month go by without documenting my P90X/half-marathon training journey.

I started Phase II one week before going on a two-week trip to the United States. I am happy to report that for the most part I stuck with my workouts during the trip. One thing I love about the Beachbody workouts is that they are highly portable. I packed my DVDs and resistance bands and was able to continue the strength training workouts with little problem. I like using my free weights at home better, but these are a great substitute. One thing I discovered on this trip is that I am at a point that I don't need the videos any more. I know the moves well enough that I can do the workouts alone. I like that because I take shorter breaks and finish up a little faster while still working out hard.

Phase II introduced two new workouts with different moves for the chest, back, shoulders, and arms. Plyometrics, Yoga X, Legs & Back, and Kenpo X were still part of the routine. I found myself less and less enamoured with the Yoga and Kenpo workouts. Because I am also preparing for an Army Physical Fitness Test and a half-marathon, I decided to do more running on those days. I know I am not getting all the benefits of improved flexibility by modifying, but had to find time for the running.

Phase III began two weeks ago. It's a combination of the first two phases. At this point, I am really focused on running so I have only been doing the strength workouts. Even skipping Plyometrics to run more. I take my PT test this Friday and then run the half-marathon on Sunday. I am aiming to get a perfect score on the PT test which means that I need to run two miles in under 15:54. I have been able to do that on the treadmill so I am hoping the weather conditions will cooperate and allow me to reach this goal on Friday. Forecast is calling for rain and the temperature will probably be around 45 or 50 degrees F that morning. Ugh! Half-marathon on Sunday and the weather is looking crummy that day as well. Oh well! I know there will be plenty of good...probably too warm...weather in Texas for me to run more races!

My biggest challenge the last couple months has been staying focused with my diet. At this point, I haven't been as concerned about counting calories. With the amount of exercise I do, I can eat more. My problem is keeping those food choices healthy. I know I am not seeing the results with my body fat percentage that I would like to see because I still give in a bit too much to my cravings for sweets. I love healthy food now. But when I see chocolate or ice cream or cookies, etc, I cave. I wish I could enjoy these treats in moderation, but I rarely can. I can easily inhale a pint of ice cream or a whole chocolate Easter bunny...yes, I did!

Part of me thinks that this isn't a big deal. I am maintaining a healthy weight and body fat percentage. My fitness level is better than ever. So who cares if I occasionally go crazy with those sweets? The problem is that I know that it is this type of eating behavior that led me to struggle previously. What if I get injured or sick and cannot exercise as much? What if my work and family schedule get crazier in Texas (which it will)? When I first joined the Army, an excuse I often made for not exercising was that I had too much work to do. Or what about another pregnancy? I gained over 60 pounds when I was pregnant with Amelia. We aren't sure if another baby is in our future, but if it happens, I must reign in my cravings before the hormones take over. :-)

P90X has a great nutrition guide. I haven't followed it as closely as I could have. For these last 20 days of the program, I will follow it more closely. I plan on taking a break from intense exercise when I am done with this program (one or two weeks). So this will be a chance for me to really focus on eating well. I plan to limit processed foods, avoid the sweets, eat lots of vegetables, lean proteins, fruits, and whole grains.

Beachbody also just came out with a 21-day cleanse program. I plan on trying that with the goal of truly cleaning up my diet.

Next week's blog: A report on whether I meet my PT test goals and how my first half-marathon goes!

Day 27 - P90X Phase I complete!

Well, I made it through Phase I of P90X. I would give myself an A for sticking with my workout schedule and a B- for staying on track with my nutrition. I completed all the workouts and only had a handful of days that I didn't do them on schedule. If I missed one, I made up for it on another day. I either doubled up and did two workouts that day or did the workout on my rest day. And I got a few run days in as well. Feeling great about my half-marathon at the end of April. If all goes well, I have a good shot at getting maximum points on my next Army PT test as well.

As for food, I eat well the vast majority of the time. However, there are days when if the chocolate or the sweets are present in the house, I indulge...and that usually means over-indulgence. It's a work in progress to only eat one piece of candy or avoid the bread at a restaurant, etc. When I'm at home or even when I go to the grocery store, I make good choices, really good choices. When the Valentine's Day candy showed up or when my adorable daughter wanted to make cupcakes for her class, temptation won. I don't believe in never enjoying certain foods. It should all be in moderation. But moderation is still a problem for me. So that will be my daily reminder during the next two months.

As for results, I did lose two pounds this first month and I am definitely getting stronger and better at pushing myself during each workout. Yoga X is my least favorite. Mainly because it is 90 minutes long and I am not flexible. But I push through that as well. Plyometrics and Core Synergistics are fun and I also enjoy the strength training workouts. Phase II introduces two new workouts and I'm excited to check those out next week.

The month of March will be a challenge for me to get my workouts in and keep my diet in check. Next weekend I will be visiting my family in Pittsburgh and my best friend in Virginia for a week. Then I spend a week in an Army course in Maryland. P90X and Shakeology will be in my suitcase. I may not get every workout in, but I'll be active and can't wait to see several friends and family during the trip. Now if only Cesar and Amelia could join me. But they will get some valuable father/daughter time without mommy for a couple weeks.

Day 15 - P90X

It's President's Day and I'm sitting in a hotel in Oslo, Norway. I should be working out right now but the gym in our hotel doesn't open until 0700. Looks like I won't get my workout in before we head back to Germany this morning. Sure hope I am feeling motivated enough to do Chest & Back plus Ab Ripper X when I get home.

This last week was rough from a nutritional standpoint. I did my workout every day, but I really made some poor choices this weekend and even last week. And while I am being honest with myself, I have made some poor choices since November. At first I justified it because I had just met my original goal weight and it was the holiday season after all. Once we got back from our vacation, I did get more focused and lost the few pounds gained on the cruise. I thought that starting P90X and the nutrition plan that comes with it would be a smooth transition. Week one went well, but week two, not so much. I could blame it on the Valentine's Day candy that came home with Amelia. I could blame it on the long weekend trip. But those are just excuses. Everything I decide to do is my choice. It was my choice to eat the candy and my choice to order the desert and eat that entire entree last night instead of stopping when I felt full.

The reality is that changing a lifestyle isn't done overnight or really even in six months. I have lifelong bad habits when it comes to food choices. Over the last year, I have made huge improvements and I will keep getting better. This will be a lifestyle change. I am reading a book right now called "PUSH" by Chalene Johnson. It's set up as a 30 day guide to help you focus on your goals and priorities in life. It is meant to help with all aspects of life but since Chalene Johnson is a fitness trainer, of course there are some great diet and exercise tips. One of the things she talks about is 'having a diet' versus 'being on a diet'. We all have diets. It's what we eat every day. Food choices should not become an obsession. They should just become a natural part of your day and those choices should be healthy without thought. I think I have been 'on a diet' for too long. Yes, that diet helped me lose 20 pounds, but if I don't transition to 'having a diet' then that weight will be back before I know it.

So week 3 starts today and I am refocused on following my plan. I will remind myself of my goals. I will also remember that there was a time when I had to force myself to exercise. Now that is second nature. If I stay motivated and continue to work on it, making health food choices even when faced with my biggest temptations, will also become a habit.

Changing subjects to wrap up...this workout is great. I like the variety. Now if only my pull-up bar would work in my house. That will have to wait till Texas. I am using a heavy resistance band to simulate the pull-ups, but I have doubts this will actually build my strength and ability to do them. I tried to do one last night in the hotel gym and can't yet. I'm not surprised because I know I haven't really ever utilized the muscles required to do that exercise. By the end of 2012, I will be knocking them out though. Just wait and see!!

P90X - Week 1

Week one was a success. I think I will enjoy this program and as long as stick with the nutrition part, I know I will build strength and shed a little more body fat. Here's where I started:

Weight: 139
Body Fat: 24.7%
Body Water: 54.7%
Body Muscle: 37.7%
BMI: 22.3
BMR: 1398

Waist (upper): 27 in.
Waist (at navel): 30 in.
Hips: 36.5 in.
Thighs (both): 22.5 in.
Arms (both): 10 in.
Neck: 13.25 in.
Arms (flexed): 11 in.

Not posting photos to start. I took them, but no one needs to see my pasty-white-living-in-Germany-in-the-dead-of-winter body in a bikini.

I didn't do another Fitness Test, but I'm confident I'm at about the same place as I was before Christmas in that area.

The first week consisted of the following schedule:

Monday: Chest & Back, Ab Ripper X; lots of push-ups and pull-ups. I did buy a pull-up bar, but it won't work in our house, plus at the moment I can't do one unassisted. So I use a heavy green resistance band attached to the upper door to simulate the various types of pull-up. It still works those muscles!! Ab Ripper X consists of eleven different tough ab moves, 25 reps each. I struggled toward the end, but I know I'll get better.

Tuesday: Plyometrics; about an hour of intense cardio, lots of jumping and spinning, mega-calorie burn. I really enjoyed it and look forward to getting better at it.

Wednesday: Shoulders & Arms, Ab Ripper X; biceps, triceps, and shoulder burning.

Thursday: Schedule called for Yoga X, but I did a seven mile tempo run instead (officially signed up for that half-marathon in April so no turning back now!!).

Friday: Schedule called for Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X; but Amelia got sick in the middle of the night and I ended up working late.

Saturday: Kenpo X and Legs & Back, Ab Ripper X; Kenpo involves a lot of punching and kicking. I'm really not very coordinated so again I have some work to do in getting better at this workout. Legs & Back involves a lot of squats and lunges broken up by pull-ups for a break (ha!).

Sunday: Schedule calls for a rest day or Stretch X. I got caught up by doing Yoga X. Ugh! I knew I was going to be miserable and I was. I am just not that flexible right now. Then throw in some twisting and turning while stretching and the fact that it's a 90 minute workout...my worst nightmare! That being said, I know it's good for me and none of it was impossible to partially do (thank you yoga blocks!). So I'll get my yoga in when it's called for. I also managed to get a long run in today. Ninety minutes on the treadmill. I'm well on my way to finishing that race strongly in April.

The next two weeks will be identical to this one, then the 4th week is a rest week as far as the strength training goes. Only, cardio, yoga, and stretching.

As far as nutrition goes, the program gives you guidelines for protein, carb, and fat ratios. Phase I last four weeks and is heavy on the protein, low in fat. It's called Fat Shredder. I like the sound of that. I cooked a big batch of one of the recipes, Shrimp Stir Fry. We also had turkey burgers and several egg white omelets. And each day I drink my Shakeology. I have a new trick to get my veggies in. I throw in 2 cups of ready to eat spinach. Can't taste it at all! I like spinach quite a bit, but don't always like carrying a salad to work or cutting up the other veggies for a real salad at dinner. Now every day I can at least 2 cups of leafy greens along with all the other super-nutrients in Shakeology. Beachbody is releasing a new flavor this week, Tropical Strawberry. It's actually a vegan formulation. I'm not vegan, but I'm looking forward to trying it. Might even get my husband interested. He's a fruit lover.

My friends in my challenge group are getting off to a good start as well. Can't wait to see where we all are in 90 days! Keep on moving everyone!

New Year, New Goals

I love the holidays! But I am glad they are over. I learned that I have not completely gotten over bad eating habits and temptations. I thought that I could have a little candy or cookies around the house and not over do it. Boy, was I wrong! It's hard to admit to inhaling hundreds of calories of chocolate just because it was there. I think I ate an entire box of Girl Scout Cookies one day. And dinner on a cruise ship...yeah, I enjoyed the seven course meals.

All that food did result in gaining about seven pounds in less than a month, but as of the end of January, I've lost five of that. All it took was two weeks of commitment with Ten Minute Trainer and obviously, eating healthier.

Over the holidays, I bought a book called 'Eat to Live' by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. I highly recommend it for everyone. It's an eye opener regarding how processed food and even animal-based foods could be directly related to the increase in so many illnesses. The diet recommended in this book is heavy on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts. Very little to no dairy or meat of any kind. I'm not sure I could go that far. However, what is nice is that for the most part, the recommendations in this book are in line with the nutrition advice that comes with the fitness programs from Team Beachbody.

I am about to start a new program; the one that really put Tony Horton on the map as a trainer, P90X. This program is much more time-intensive compared to Ten Minute Trainer. I will have to force myself to get up early several days a week to get these sessions in. The tougher obstacle will be following the diet plan. There are three phases to the 90-day program and the diet is key to getting the best results possible. The nutrition guide changes slightly in regards to the percentages of protein, carbs, and fat that you eat as the focus of the workout changes.

Why am I doing P90X? I want to increase my upper body strength (lots of push-ups and pull-ups); shed some more body fat on my lower belly, hips, and thighs; and learn to prepare healthier meals that don't rely on Nutrisystem or other pre-packaged meals. I will drink Shakeology for one meal a day. It really is a product that I enjoy daily. I get my chocolate fix without the guilt. Plus, Team Beachbody should be releasing a new Tropical flavor in the next month. Can't wait to try that.

I do plan on slightly modifying the P90X schedule on cardio-focused days. That's because I signed up to run my first half-marathon on April 21st. It's a great route through the German wine country. So starting in February, I'll throw in some run days a few days a week. I know this is very ambitious. I'll have to listen to my body and back off when necessary. I'll have a great support system with my Coach and Team Angry Bear Fitness. Plus, I've put together a group of friends to join me on the 90-day journey. We will support each other as we lose weight, get fitter, and improve our health with several Team Beachbody workouts (P90X, P90X2, Ten Minute Trainer, and TurboFire).

Stay tuned for updates....

A little late...Slim in Six results

Very, very late posting this, but I finished the Slim in Six program just before Christmas and things have been a bit hectic with the holidays and traveling since then.

This program consists of three different workouts plus an ab and stretching routine. You do the same workout six days a week and do the abs and stretching at least three times a week. Every two weeks, you move to a more difficult workout. I enjoyed the workouts; however, doing the same one every day, day after day get old. I think that's why I didn't do as well with Jillian Michaels' program early last year. But why I did enjoy Ten Minute Trainer so much. I need variety!

That being said, this program will help you get slim. Lots of core work and moves that focus on hips, thighs, and glutes...all my trouble spots. And the arm workout is pretty nice, too.

I think I would have done much better if it weren't November and December when I was doing this. I gave into some of my temptations over the holidays. Between Halloween and Christmas candy, I definitely over-indulged. But the good news is that I still lost weight overall and I know I improved my stamina.

So here were my results at the end of the six weeks (21 December 2011):

Weight: 138.2 (-3.2 pounds)
Body Fat: 25% (-1%)
Body H2O: 54.4% (+0.9%)
Body Muscle: 37.5% (+0.6%)
BMI: 22.2 (-0.6)
BMR: 1397 (-15)
Waist: 27.0 inches (-0.75)
Hips: 36.75 in. (-0.75)
Chest: 30.0 in.(-1.0)
Bust: 34.0 in. (same)
Thighs: 22.5 in. (-0.5)
Arms: 10.0 in. (-0.25)
Neck: 13.25 in. (same)

And the fitness test results:
Resting Heart Rate: 60 bpm (same)
Vertical Leap: 12.75 in. (+1.0)
Push-ups to muscle failure without pausing: 48 (+3)
Toe Touch: 3 inches past toes (+2 inches)
In & Outs to muscle failure without pausing: 46 (+26)
Wall Squat: 2:21 (min:sec) (+41 seconds)
Bicep Curls to muscle failure without pausing: 41 with 10# weights (+15)
Heart Rate Maximizer: 174 bpm; 95 bpm three minutes later

My core probably gained the most strength, which is what I really need. I've had off and on lower back pain for as long as I can remember. Once the Army sent me to a physical therapist who recommended a bunch of REALLY BORING exercises that focused on the muscles of my back and abdomen. I couldn't will myself to do it every day. So happy to have found fitness programs that I enjoy and that work.

Slim in Six is a great program for women and men looking to get started on the right track with weight loss. The diet plan is very straightforward and the workouts can be modified if you just aren't capable of completing some of the moves. Keep pushing play and you will improve.

I'm ready to move onto something more challenging. Time to kick it up a notch with P90X in 2012!