Rip 60

Okay, it's a totally ridiculous name, but I'm starting this new exercise program and I'm excited about it.

I have gradually tried to ramp things up a bit over the summer, but was feeling like I needed a new challenge. Running is out for the moment because of plantar fasciitis.

When I was visiting my cousin, I tried a couple of her workout DVDs, one from a program called Insanity and another called P90X.

They were hard! But I noticed that I felt stronger afterwards.

And then last week, in Rhode Island, I tried my brother's Rip 60 program -- it's an 8 week program and includes a pulley system so you can use your own body weight for resistance. I like the concept, and I liked the workout. There were a couple parts that were ridiculously hard, like these things called Burpees, but the total time committment isn't too great -- the first week is 50 minutes, I think the longest week is 60 minutes -- and my brother looks pretty amazing.

So I'm going to give it a shot. My brother generously ordered it for me as a gift, and I did my first official workout yesterday.

I'm not planning to do it every day (at least to start, I plan to alternate with elliptical or biking, now that I finally have my bike, complete with baby seat, in the city), so my first "week" will probably be at least two weeks.

Still, I'm really excited. I am hoping that a new fitness challenge will help me do better with getting enough sleep and also with feeling more energized and focused when I return to work.