The Cardio Fat-Burning Zone: Get out of it!
Here’s your daily 10-Minute Routine: A treadmill routine you won’t forget so fast!
So in my post where I mention the parameters for food on our Detox Challenge (‘Let the detox begin’), I forgot to mention one key thing: with this diet, we commit to at least 3 hours of exercise per week. Whatever we like, but it should include both strength and cardio. (Ariane actually gives each of us her Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp DVD as part of the Detox Challenge, so that’s a great option for working out at home.)
I hadn’t quite started the exercise portion of all this. Had fallen off a bit last week, really – had not seriously worked out (I walked a lot, and I’m laughing at myself as I’m writing this because I know and hopefully you know by now as well, walking is NOT real exercise – unless you are in some way, shape or form physically incapacitated – and I always want to shake the people who claim they exercised when they really just went for a walk).
Anyway, I went to boot camp this morning with my husband in tow. Five minutes into it, and I felt like I had been hit by a truck. I plodded through what seemed like the rest of the hour but when I looked up at the clock, only 9 minutes had gone by. Usually the first time I look up, it’s at least 20 minutes past start. I looked over at Joe. He had stopped and was kneeling on the ground looking ready for execution. We were Mr. and Mrs. Pathetic this morning. But seriously, I felt exhausted and nauseous.
Here’s what went through my head:
Wow – I didn’t know I was this out of shape. Well I can’t be out of shape in just a week. Can I? But I can’t do this. Maybe it’s time to just sit this one out. More sumos? What’s gotten into this woman? This can’t be normal. How is everyone else doing this? Anne Marie always does the best sumos. Hm, why wasn’t she in class last week? I can’t do any more sumos. Ok. I can do it. I can do it. Jesus! I can’t do it. Help! Help! Maybe I’m just done with boot camp. Is the air-conditioning on? This is just not for me. This is too much. I can’t live like this. I don’t want to live like this. Oh wow – I can really feel my obliques. This is a great exercise for obliques. I should do this all the time. What? More push-ups? Crazy lady. Why aren’t we doing donkey kicks? Oh good – donkey kicks! 3-2-1. Hold it? No, you hold it, Super Woman. Stretch! Woohoo! Done and done. Is Joe alive?
How sad is this for someone who has been going at boot camp for TWO years now? I could barely walk after this class. Really had the wind knocked out of me. Ariane said my body is just going into fat-burning mode. I’ve felt something vaguely similar when I’m doing the Quickie Blubber Burn - it’s the point where your body has gone through the energy stored in your muscles and starts burning your actual fat for energy (which is good stuff!). But this felt impossible. Of course, I’ve never been on detox before. And my body may just be reacting slower to all this detoxing than everyone else’s is.
My detox hero, Monica, said she has been looking at my food diary on Pinterest and that I haven’t been eating enough. Which Ariane confirmed as well. (Hence the extra green stuff in my lunch today, pictured on top). I felt dizzy at one point during the day today and just generally unwell. Turns out I need more veggies in my diet – not getting enough veggies means I’m not getting enough carbs since veggies are now my main source of them (until we add back the grains, which will happen in Week #2).
I’m sooooo tired of chewing those vegetables, though. I look at broccoli and not only do I feel bored to tears, but I feel plain lazy to put it in my mouth for all the chomping I’ll have to do to swallow it. My co-worker, Danielle, suggested juicing it all which is a great idea. That will make it a lot easier for me to get all my veggies in. This is really opening my eyes as to how few vegetables I make it a point to add to my daily diet. That can’t be good. That’s one concerted effort I’m going to make even when off this detox. Much easier for me to do when they are cooked and flavored with Indian spices, though. Will have to start gathering some new recipes.
That’s what I guess this process is about. Learning what you need to do keep yourself eating healthy. My name is Preethi and I need to eat more vegetables. I’m realizing as far as this goes, I do better if I’ve cooked them myself. I can’t stand plain steamed vegetables. It’s like eating cardboard for me. And my cooking cannot be dependent on having time – I need to make the time.
Ok. That’s all for today. Going to throw some vegetables in with the spicy chicken on the stove. I think this post is the most I have ever written, said or thought about ‘vegetables’ in my whole entire life.
The Slim & Strong Detox Challenge is conducted by Ariane Hundt of my favorite Brooklyn Bridge Boot Camp. You can visit her site for more info. I should be bitching about it plenty over the next 3 weeks as well.