With that blog post title, I bet you think I’m going to talk about last night’s episode of The Bachelorette.
Well, I’m not.
Not for long, anyway.
Let’s just say I found it awfully boring even though I think Emily is a sweetheart. None of the guys are grabbing my attention just yet, but I’m sure that will change as the season continues.
Let’s just say Sadie agrees with my analysis wholeheartedly.
I took that picture with my phone last night as I was watching the show. Clearly Sadie is less than enamored with The Bachelorette.
Workout
It was inevitable.
I knew I’d wake up sore this morning following yesterday’s heavier-than-normal LiveFit chest and triceps workout. It’s a good sore though and I have feeling I’m going to be sore after today’s back and biceps workout as well.
Those of you who have completed (or are in the process of completing) the Jamie Eason LiveFit Trainer program that I am very loosely following (just the workouts, not the meal plan) mentioned that you felt sore after nearly every workout and I can see why. Heavy weights are legit!
The first four weeks of the LiveFit program call for the complete elimination of all cardio, but since I’m not following the program completely, I am not forgoing cardio. I like warming up my body with 20 minutes on the elliptical before nearly every strength or circuit workout.
When I arrive at the gym at 5:20 a.m., I’m still half asleep and Ryan and I both agree that the 20 minutes we spend on the elliptical helps wake us up and get us in the zone for the rest of our workout. I didn’t want to give that up and since the strength workouts during the first week don’t last more than 40 minutes or so, I am keeping my 20 minutes of cardio. I’ve never really been an all or nothing type of person and want to keep my workouts balanced, so that’s the deal for the first week. What a rebel.
Breakfast
Breakfast today was another breakfast cookie!
Anytime chocolate and peanut butter find their way into my breakfast, I am a happy camper.
Question of the Morning
- Have you ever completely eliminated something food or fitness related from your life?
I used to be a cardio queen at the gym and rarely incorporated strength training into my workouts. Now I can’t imaging a workout routine without strength training!
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What’s the point of eliminating cardio?
I always used to do cardio at the gym too, and then I found a gym that offered Bodypump and I’ve been obsessed ever since!
from what i’ve read (and watched, as there are videos on the site), the first phase of livefit is all about building muscle. cardio comes later in the program when the focus is more on showing the muscle and leaning out.
and i LOVE bodypump! still so sad that my gym here doesn’t offer it. 🙁
Ahhh yes, LiveFit. I gave up cardio for the first few weeks of that. I was still hurtin’ after my half mary in Feb, so a month off from cardio was easy for me!
I’m totally with you on doing the cardio first to get in the zone. If I do go down the Live Fit Route – which I’m going to check out tonight, I will be doing the same. Having suffered from anorexia for years I eliminated quite a whole lot of food from my life for quite some time. Now I’m all about embracing balance!!! 🙂
I am the same with you about strength training- can’t believe how little i used to in the past! It’s definitely as important (if not more) as cardio in my routine now! During the first few weeks of Body For Life, I used to round up my weights sessions with some light cardio but now I am too wiped to do so….from being a cardio junkie 6 times a week, I’m down to 3 days now and I love it!
I know what you mean about feeling those heavy weights! I did the LiveFit program a few months ago, and like you, only followed the workouts, not the meal plan. I also didn’t eliminate cardio completely because I really, really love the way it gets my endorphins pumping in the morning! As for total elimination, I am currently eliminating running for the week in order to (hopefully) get over a bad case of plantar fasciitis. It huuuuurts and I want it to go away asap, so I’m turning to the bike instead. 🙂 Good luck with the rest of the program!
I love the good sore after a tough session!
I don’t think I’ve ever eliminated a food; I don’t have enough will power for that!
When my husband went vegan I was shocked he could give up ice cream like that. He used to eat two litres of it a week!
I’ve recently eliminated meat – but I don’t think I could ever eliminate cardio and still do strength training.
Bachelorette has been extremely boring! She’s just too sweet I think?
Glad to hear your lifting heavier weights. That’s the one thing most women don’t do. They go too light on the weights because they think they’re gonna get big and it doesn’t do them any good.
I started weight training 3 years ago and LOVE it. Now I do Crossfit too (for the past year) and I love that too. I can see a big difference in my body from before when I did only cardio. I would have to say my muscles are sore from workouts probably 6 days a week but it’s cool because I know I did something good. 🙂
I eliminated all white flours, sugars, etc for a few months while in college. Hardest thing ever. You don’t realize how many things contain sugar or white flour until you try to completely eliminate them!
Hey Julie- did you notice a difference in your body when you went from all cardio to incorporating weight training?
I haven’t watched the Bachelorette yet. I have it on my dvr. I’m sad to hear it’s boring. At least I can fast forward through parts that are putting me to sleep 🙂
this Sadie picture is soo cute! I used to be a cardio queen as well, all I would do is an hour+ of cardio and lots of abs. Now I couldn’t imagine doing that every single day! I love strength training!
I thought it was boring too – she is a sweetheart, but I just think her personality is a little boring because she’s almost just too sweet, you know? I’m hoping she gets more interesting as the season progresses!
Hey Julie, I am starting LiveFit this week too! How did you determine how much weight to use for week 1? I do body pump regularly, so I am used to lifting and not sure where to start. Also, I love Ryan on the Bachelorette, but that long letter was strange! Thanks 🙂
Full elimination rarely works for me. I’ve had no problem eliminating meat but that’s the only thing I’ve felt strongly enough about eliminating to be successful at it. Lord knows I’ve tried cutting out various other things from my diet but inevitably my body rebels!
I don’t think I’ve ever intentionally eliminated something fitness related…but I know that I’ve unintentionally eliminated stretching haha oops! I have to work hard to remind myself to do it!
Hey! I just found your blog a few weeks ago and you keep me thoroughly entertained during the day. Thanks!
As far as your question, I also eliminated cardio from my workouts last September. I used to hit the elliptical or run every other day. Now it’s pretty much strength training every day with a fun day of tennis and one day of cardio intervals. The results I’ve had with serious strength training I was never able to achieve with steady state cardio.
I have completely eliminated animal products from my diet. This change seems to reallly work for me. I have more energy and am in the best shape of my life.
I’ve never really understood the whole elimination phase of strength training (a lot of “plans” have this in common)-it’s important not to forget how important cardio is for heart health! Especially when heart disease is so common in women!
i did livefit (just the workout part) and i did eliminate cardio… i missed it… BAD!
That picture is so sweet! I was the same way — cardio all the time! I still haven’t incorporated as much strength into my workouts as I know I should, but it’s getting better!
One of my biggest reservations about doing Live Fit is completely giving up cardio. I just love running too much to give it up cold turkey!
I was a cardio junkie too, but now I incorporate weights, circuits, and yoga on a regular basis, all of which I consider to be strength training.
I agree with you on the Bachelorette… Snoozefest! I really hope it picks up a bit!
I felt the same way. I was on a twitter chat while watching the episode that’s how bored I was!
I’ll be the first to admit I’m a cario junkie! I know lifting is so important to incorporate and I’m really trying a little at a time 🙂
As for elimination, well that’s what my blog is all about! It follows my journey through a personalized elimination diet that helped alleviate intense symptoms of ibs. It wasn’t easy, but definitely paid off in the end!
Jamie’s workouts are awesome! I totally agree with you on the meal plan front – it’s a little too restrictive for my liking. I’d rather enjoy my food than have a ripped body. Love how you’re making it work for you!
i eliminated ALL refined/processed carbs for a good three months: no wheat or gains at all (not even whole grains). i lost like 12 lbs and honestly didn’t miss it after the first week..but it’s difficult to stick to when going to family functions or out to eat with friends. now i just try not to eat refined sugar or processed foods at all, and it was hard at first, but i don’t miss the sugar. i feel tons better without it!
i’ve never completely given up cardio, but i mostly strength-train. by nature of the intensity of all workouts, crossfit gives me the cardio i need while still making me work that muscle 🙂
I fell asleep during last night’s episode… maybe it’s the sweet, quiet tone of Emily’s voice… or maybe it’s the guys, but I hope things pick up soon! 🙂
I thought I was going to hate not doing cardio for the first 4 weeks with Livefit, even said in a post I planned to keep a run or two in during the week. Then I did nothing. Not one cardio session (besides long walks with the dog) in 4 weeks and I actually LOVED it. It makes sense you want to keep it in your routine (I’d probably need something to wake me up that early in the morning too!), I was just shocked how much I enjoyed that break and how my body didn’t really lose any endurance once Phase 2 started and I picked up running again. The soreness gets better…although leg day will probably leave you hobbling a bit 😉
As much as I don’t always like doing cardio … I feel like I need it to get in the zone in the mornings. Totally wakes me up! I use it to get the blood pumping before I hit the weights 🙂
Mmm a breakfast cookie! I’ve been meaning to try that, I’ll have to this weekend. I tried to eliminate cereal from my diet (because it’s just TOO tempting), but my roommate still buys it and I found myself stealing hers! Shameful. So now I buy some healthy cereal for whenever a craving really hits me!
I tend to unintentionally eliminate strength training from my workouts. I love running and cardio, and when pressed for time (which I always seem to be), I would rather do 5 miles of running and no strength than cut the run shorter. I know strength training is really important, and i’m trying to change that, but it’s so hard, and I never know what to do. Cardio is so easy! I’m going to try and do some of these Jamie Eason workouts…hopefully that will kick start my strength training routine.
I’m like you too–gotta have my short warmup! Oh and I was a cardio queen as well, and now I am the strength training junkie! Hah 🙂
I totally agree, the Bachelorette has been a little dull so far… And complete elimination doesn’t work for me, especially when it comes to food. I just feel deprived and go crazy later.
agreed! the bachelorette was super boring last night. Where’s the drama 😉
I believe in moderation more than elimination. For the longest time, I didn’t eat butter or soda pop- now I do occasionally.
I’m sore too! My chest is killing me… I’m not used to doing those heavy weights!
I’m keeping cardio in the plan as well… I hate going straight to lifting without warming up first. I feel like it’s harder!
I really wish the Bachelorette wasn’t starting at 9 pm!! I get up at 430 am on Tuesdays, so this late starting business is not cool with me. I only saw her first date and then fell asleep. But- it seemed VERY stale and almost scripted to me. Just …. weird.
I haven’t had a pop tart in years! Too many empty calories, yet soooo tasty! 🙂 Used to eat them during high school while running cross country.
Hope you’re enjoying the new workouts, Julie. They sound like a nice change of pace.
I dvr’d the bachelorette last night and plan to catch up on it this week. Those later than usual start times are killer! After my half, I decided to take a break from long distance running for a while and plan to incorporate more strength training. I love the idea of giving live fit a shot. It seems like at this time in my life, it would be right up my alley to try something entirely different than I am used to!
I have tried to eliminate dairy completely (I’m supposedly sort of lactose intol) as well as running for Lent one year after realizing I’m ridiculously injury prone as a runner…. None stuck (well the Lent one did, but only for 40 days ha!). 😉
I’ve been cutting carbs out of my diet. Not completely, but mainly sticking to eating carbs for breakfast/lunch rather than for dinner. I’ve found that I’ve become more creative with my dinners (hello veggies!) and I feel better the next morning too! Now I would rather have a bagel or english muffin first thing in the morning rather than pasta right before I go to bed!
So not related to the post, but I found a great quotation for you. As a fellow member of the peanut-butter (and all nut butter) obsessed, I rather enjoyed this:
“Man cannot live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter.”
~ James A. Garfield
🙂
I too am “loosely” following the LiveFit program. I’m on Phase 2, Day 50. I completely cut out cardio in the first four weeks as suggested to build muscle, and I do think it totally helped me to build muscle and prepped me to burn fat with cardio in the second phase. I also think that the first phase of the program was designed for people who have never been in any kind of gym routine before–I found it too easy for my level of fitness and was bored and not too challenged by it. It did help me to work up to higher weights slowly, but Phase 2 is much more on my level. Beware of the leg days–they are KILLER and I am always super sore.
I am not following the diet portion of the program. I already eat pretty clean and I am not prepping for a bodybuilding competition. I don’t think carb cycling or calorie cutting is suitable for everyday life (though I am toying with the idea of doing the carb cycling regimen prior to my summer 2013 wedding!). I have made an effort to step up my protein intake, however as a result of this program and I think it is working in my favor.
I spent a year prior to this doing HIIT style workouts including bootcamp classes at the gym and Insanity/Bodyrock workouts in my living room. Strength training with heavy weights has done way more for my body than those other workouts did! Good luck with the program and please keep us posted on how you are doing with it!
I used to be such a cardio junkie. About a year and a half ago I gave it up cold turkey. I now find cardio rather boring, so I’ve been playing indoor soccer to get in my cardio each week. I will have to do more cardio when I do my fitness show, but besides that I’m a weights girl all the way! 🙂
I drastically decreased my cardio/strengh training routine at the gym. I have stumbled upon Core Power Yoga and have become obsessed! I canceled my gym membership and have seen great results with yoga, going 3-4 times a week. I only do this class called yoga sculpt which incorporates weights, cardio and core training; even plyometrics! I have much more tone to my arms :D…I also gave up drinking milk and switched to almond milk. I’m a lot less bloated and feel lighter. Lastly! I eat as clean as possible and have tried the raw diet (very difficult to do) but felt AMAZING the two weeks I was following it…now I eat strictly clean and cook healthy meals. I love a good steak!!!
At one point on my weightloss journey, I completely gave up ice cream and fried food. I eat them now in moderation, but at the time realized I was eating too much of them and they needed to be gone for a while.
Julie, this is why I LOVE you and your blog! Thank you for not becoming a crazy protein-freak blogger. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate reading about someone who enjoys healthy living through good food and exercise yet does not feel the need to eliminate anything, be it carbs or cardio. THANK YOU!
I used to always ONLY get my cardio system pumping through HIIT exercises, but now I run a lot on the side too, and I can def. see the difference in having a balanced and well-rounded fitness routine!
After I had my gallbladder taken out (worst thing EVER), I had to completely cut out red meat because it really didn’t agree with my new system. Even though I was doing it for medical reasons, it still was incredibly difficult to cut something out completely and I was extremely miserable for the first couple months. The only thing that kept me going was the fact that I HAD to do it. I definitely don’t think I could have done it by choice though!