Strides forward and setbacks...

I'm one workout from finishing my second round of Barre Blend and I finished MBFA a bit over a week ago. I *love* the feeling of accomplishment of finishing that last work out from a program. The inches and / or pounds lost are an amazing bonus but the accomplishment of sticking to a program through till the end is the biggest reward there is. So, yeah, a bit over a week ago I finished MBFA. I love the trainer, Megan, and I found that I really really enjoy strength training by lifting weights. I also found out that I'm not a huge fan of any workout schedule that is 7 days a week. I'm not a fitness 'fanatic'. I don't want to be one of those people that 'has' to work out every day or who works out for 2+ hours every day. Working through the second half of this program took me a while, I got through MBF in just about 3 weeks (maybe 4), MBFA took me 6 months I think(?). It's a 3 week program. Apparently not in my world, but regardless of the amount of time it took me I still am extremely proud to have gone back to it and finished through to the end. I am also very pleased that even with my unplanned 'fitness hiatus' I didn't lose a lot of strength, mobility, or fitness. Yes, I gained about 7 lbs in that time, but I'm not mad at that. Ok, I'm not happy with it either but considering how unfocused I was and how many work outs I didn't do it could have been a lot worse. After mostly taking off from around September through March (ish) I picked right back up at week 7 of Barre Blend and week 2 of MBFA. I had a few sore days, and I did not push myself by sticking to the published schedule but I pushed play and continued on. Yay me! Part of what has changed my motivation has been that I 'reupped' my membership in my online fitness program. It's a yearly membership and by signing up for a bundle deal I can get lots of material for my next program for a little more than the cost of the yearly membership. So if I'm going to spend the money, I should probably utilize the stuff (and things) that I bought, right? I've got my 'eye' on so many programs and different trainers that I want to try out. My biggest 'problem' when I renew is to decide for which one I'd like materials. (First world problems for sure!). This renewal I decided to give Morning Meltdown 100 a go. I started last week and after getting used to Jericho's style (boy does this trainer like to jump!), I found I'm really enjoying it. The workouts are quick, 30 minutes or less so far, and challenging. I've been taking the weights fairly light so far because the first cardio workou just about 'killed me'. I was unprepared for the bajillion jumping jacks, and the plank jump, and the push up lightening jump. Thank goodness for modifiers!!! I got through the first 6 workouts in 7 days. I am excited to see how much I can progress in this program. But alas I've hit another, hopefully minor, set back. On Monday morning after getting up I did a mini stretch (the hands over the head yawning/ waking up type) and my side said: "yeah, no, I'm not your friend". I thought it was just a tweak, no big deal, so I continued on, got dressed and pressed play. I got about halfway through day 7 but when you can barely get on to your mat much less up from it, it's probably a good idea to stop. So now, though I'm antsy to press play, I'm not. I am listening to my loudly protesting body and taking it easy. Yesterday was not easy for me, being in pain all day long sucks. I'm doing everything I can to help the muscle relax and stop protesting and am having a little success but not enough to risk the pain of yesterday by rushing back too soon. It's funny that a few months ago I was more than happy to not press play and now that I want to I need to be cautious. I want to rail at the world because I'm one workout from finishing BB and I was on a great roll with MM100. I am reminding myself to breathe, and to give myself the grace I need to take care of myself. Those workouts will still be there tomorrow, and the next day after all.