All Things in Christ! 365 days of exercise

Day 5

2012-01-06T01:36:00.001-08:00

Today was/is not a good day. Baby M was admitted to the hospital. He has RSV which caused bronchiolitis and now a new heart (he's only 27 days old). Needless to say exercise is far from my mind. He is a heavy little thing and with his car seat, carrying him around all day in it has been exhausting.

I'll post again when we are out of the hospital. God is awesome and He has this under control. Amen!

I'll be back soon.

All things in Christ who gives me strength.

Day 4

2012-01-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

Turbo Jam 20 minute workout with baby M strapped to my chest!

Today, despite my excessive lack of sleep, I had a stroke of genius! Oh my gosh, why didn't I think of this before?!? I strapped Mr. Baby to my chest and did turbo jam!

My first son is almost 5 so we didn't have much saved when we had this baby. We kept our baby monitor, wipe warmer (although we ended up

buying another), my breast pump (which recently just broke! *cry*) and...wait for it...my baby chest carrier thingy. It's like a baby bjorn but generic and more strappy. I can have baby toward me (has better neck support), or turn him around to see the world when he gets older/stronger. Awesome!!!

I did his breathing treatment, fed him and then strapped him in for a test drive.

At first he didn't like it, just walking around. He turns into a crack baby on this breathing treatment--super fussy and shaky (it's a little scary as his mama but I guess a normal side effect of this drug) so he really wasn't diggin' being strapped in. As soon as I started bouncing around and dancing (TJ is very dancy!) he went super quiet. I turned the music up loud and just had fun with it. I think he loved it. I loved it (that's all that matters, right? lol).

Anyway, fussy crack baby M fell asleep! bouncing all over the place to TJ! I can't believe it. Maybe this is what I need to do at 2 am when he won't sleep (lol I'm SO just kidding, but it might be worth a try someday lol). In fact, he's still strapped in as I type this, sleeping great--in a deep sleep, not the little flitty eye dreamer sleep he does sometimes where he is 1/2 asleep but kinda not (you mom's know what I'm talking about!).

Anyway I'm proud of myself. I did it, sleep deprived and all--of course with His strength.

Gotta love His strength, especially when it's needed the most.

All things in Christ who gives me strength!

Day 3

2012-01-04T02:15:00.000-08:00

Quickfire abs/leg lifts

a few more squats

today was extremely hard. we spent a few hours @ the dr office and Baby M has just been freaking out all day/night gagging/coughing/choking. his dr thinks it's RSV. they gave him a steroid shot and i have been giving him (trying) breathing treatments every 4 hrs and have another appt tomorrow.

I've been holding him pretty much the entire time so needless to say typing this one handed with a screaming baby is tough, but with God's strength, i can get through this tough night. man, do i need his strength right now.

c u tomorrow.

all things in Christ who strengthens me,

Day 2

2012-01-02T22:09:00.000-08:00

2 sets 10 reps squats

10 lunges on each leg

It's only day 2 and I already almost blew it. lol. It's 10 pm and I'm trying to get a fussy baby to bed, and I realize out loud to Hubby, "Awe man! I didn't exercise." He just laughed.

I thought I would do something a little less ambitious for day 2 and do squats and lunges, but as you can see, I didn't do a whole lot of either. I am really hoping that it won't be painful to walk tomorrow though. *whew* I'm out of shape and 20lbs heavier than I was the last time I blogged here (if I remember correctly). Surprisingly, I have already lost 20lbs since the baby was born though (yaay!).

I changed the name of my blog because during my first 365 day spurt of exercise, my favorite verse got me through almost everyday (Philippians 4:13). I know that not everyone that reads this blog shares my faith, but I think that we all share the bigger message that my favorite verse holds true to--that there is something greater out there than all of us (chi, karma, God, Christ, spirituality, faith, flying spaghetti monster... whatever you believe and want to call it), and we can find power in it, to find the power in ourselves to do anything we set our minds to. My faith does this for me, and it's a big part of who I am.

Off to bed. I hope I can walk in the morning. My quads are already sore! *yikes!*

All things in Christ who gives me strength!

Day 1

2012-01-01T21:49:00.000-08:00

20 minutes -- Turbo Jam's 20 minute workout

Happy New Year!!

It's been quite a while since I have posted and a long journey in 2011. Some was a struggle but things happen for a reason--good and bad--and all that matters is what we take from it to grow and learn.

In 2011 I attempted this goal again (365 days of exercise) but got pregnant. I stayed positive and continued to exercise, and then it looks like I fel

l off the face of the earth. Not quite, only the blogosphere. I successfully exercised up until my 6th month of pregnancy (26 wks to be exact) and went into preterm labor and then my doctor pulled the plug on exercise. It was a total STRUGGLE. I guess it was one of those I'm-not-allowed-to-do-it-so-now-I-really-want-to things. The doc had me on meds to stop the contractions from coming on, which dropped my blood pressure (which is already pretty low), and I just didn't feel that great for the end of my pregnancy.

Baby M, 3 days old

Baby M was born 1 week early at 8lbs 1oz on Dec. 9, which puts me now, at about the 3 week mark since I have given birth (naturally and successfully w/out any complications to myself or the baby). The doctor told me to not exercise until 6 weeks after birth (or do anything else for that matter) but I feel great, and so I am choosing to exercise at my own discretion, at a low intensity until given full approval (all things in Christ), then I will kick it up a notch and attempt to exercise 5+days a week. I would say 365 but I am still working full time 12 hour shifts so we will see what I can do, God willing. Of course I will stop if I can't do it (immediate health first!).

I missed Turbo Jam. A LOT. I don't know if it's sleep deprivation or if I am just a whack-a-do for TJ, but I super missed it. I missed the music, and making a fool out of myself in the privacy of my own living room, with distant giggles from my soon to be 5 year old, while the baby (now 3 weeks old) quietly sleeps in the sleeper in the living room close by.

It's good to be back.

I have gotten a lot of emails from you guys and I am sorry that I am poor at following up with them. I appreciate the well wishes and I promise to keep more on top of it this time around. I have also gotten a lot of questions regarding the HCG diet, which I will do again after I finish breastfeeding--however long He allows my body to do it for (all things in Christ) or until the baby bites me a few times. ouch!

As far as the HCG diet, for now, here is a link from an episode from Dr. Oz (it's a 5 part web episode) , talking about it, to answer any questions you may have for now. I'm not ready to go all out and talk about it now, as it's not really apart of my life now, but it will be, soon, one day again. I will say that I was successful with it and had no health problems/complications from it and my general practitioner is on board w/ it also--it's not a long term thing. Ten days into my 3rd round I got pregnant, so I stopped the diet when I found out.

Anyway that's all for now. I'm tired and the baby is going to wake soon. I am hoping that these blogs won't be so long, so that I can be successful with them also.

Here's to a successful new year!

All things in Christ who gives me strength!

pat on the back

2011-08-10T11:04:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's because I am pregnant now, or just because life is changing, but I look forward to my days off so much more now, than before. Before it was just like "eeh" I could give or take them. They were nice, but I didn't urn for them the way I do now.

Today I got up early (baah!), got the Monkey Boy fed, dressed and off to school. He really enjoys going to school. I just hope this new-found excitement lasts. I got my nonfat decaf blended ice mocha at Starbucks and headed home to exercise.

I procrastinated for about an hour playing my guitar (hey, it wouldn't be me if there wasn't a little bit of procrastination going on lol). I miss my guitar and singing. It sounds silly but once upon a time I used to play all the time at a guitar shop at open mic night, when I lived in Redondo Beach, CA. I used to write my own songs/poetry and used to be really artsy fartsy. When I was pregnant with my first son I used to play a lot and sing, and he came out being a really well mannered little chill boy, who loves Loves LOVES music, so I am doing it again. I don't know if it's superstition, but I enjoy it, and I believe the baby's ears are developed, so maybe he can feel/hear the guitar, the melody and my voice.

Anyway after I got that out of my system, I got to it and exercised.

One of the questions I have been asked pretty frequently in emails (sorry I am bad w/ responding) is how do I stay motivated to just get up and do it. I thought about it today, and I think about it like this: I just make it a part of my day, like I do brushing my teeth or getting dressed. I have to do it. I don't see it as an optional part of my day. On the days that I feel like I want to make it optional, I just think about how great I feel after doing it (huge sense of accomplishment!), and how I feel feel and look, after time. Before/after pictures are great motivation, and even publishing your accomplishments for all to see is great motivation also because people are so inspiring and so supportive! How can you not get out and do it again when you have people believing in you. It's awesome! That being said, thank you for all of your support. As you can see, YOU are a big part of my motivation, especially on the days that I don't want to do it :).

I was really ambitious today. I created another workout on EA Sports Active 2, with over 20 activities and this time a more well rounded lower body workout (including a warmup, cardio, strength more cardio and even a cool down). The goal was for about 30 minutes but keeping my HR below 130--as the first OB/Gyn recommended. I completed 28:34 minutes and burned 162.5 calories.

I completed most of what I signed myself up for, but skipped maybe 4 of the activities using my HR as a guide. I had a lot of cardio on there, and during the 10 min step aerobics segment, I had a really hard time keeping my HR below 125. I felt great, and didn't feel winded at all, but I guess the doc knows best, right? I even had to stop mid workout and let my HR drop a little (like she suggested), so it was a good idea that I didn't follow through with the other aerobic segment that I had. My goal was to keep my HR in the 2nd Zone (between 115-130 I think).

The other segments I skipped over were some squats and lunges. I haven't done either of the 2 for a while, and I was feeling it pretty good. I did 1 set if 16 of each--which was on the easy setting. I really thought it would have given me a set of 10 which is why I opted for 2 of each to begin with.

Anyway here is a summary of my stats. I had some pretty good goals for today, which I accomplished for the most part *pat on the back.*

Have an awesome day!

If I can do this, so can you...
You can do this, You are a star!

Remember Me?

2011-08-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! It's been a SUPER long time since my last post (months and months), and I apologize. A lot has happened, and a lot has changed for me (all good but some w/ a negative side note).

First off, I am able to get on today, because 2 hours ago I dropped my son (a 4 year old monkey boy) off for his very first day of school! It was bittersweet and really strange to be completely alone on a day off. What an odd feeling. I can do whatever I want whenever I want, again! Whatever on earth that is, I don't know, but I will figure it out in the next month or so (I hope).

Secondly I have some news. I found out a while ago, but along w/ the good news, came some disappointing news.

When I started my first 365 days of exercise, I had put some realistic restrictions on this goal--ie: i would stop if ___blankety blank___ happened (I can't seem to find the post that I mentioned this in *grumble*) . Well one of those "blank" things happened, and I was forced to stop...not by my own will, but per doctors orders. I'm pregnant! I am 5 months pregnant now, and the original ob/gyn I went to, told me to stop exercising how I was. She put some big restrictions on exercising for me, and it was just a let down. Anyway, this might explain part of my hiatus from this blog.

When I was pregnant with my first child, I was told I could continue to do the current exercise regimen I was doing, and just not to do anything strenuous (nothing that got my HR over 150) or w/ lots and lots of jumping. She wasn't too concerned with my duration either. The doctor I had started with, this time, told me to exercise no more than 2-3 days a week, no more than 20 minute per sessions (no more than 2 sessions each day), and to keep my HR below 130. What a huge disappointment! My walks alone were 30+ minutes and my HR got up into the 140s.

I thought, "ok no big deal, I have a HRM, I'll just use that to monitor my HR," since it's hard for me to tell when my HR goes over 130 (exercising w/ my HR in the 140s-150s is easy for me, for long durations). I put my HRM on, and I guess it was picking up the baby's HR also, because my HRM just freaked out, it would jump from 180-210 just at rest. I thought at first it was my HRM, so I bought a new one, and the new one did the same.

Anyway, I saw this doctor about 4 times and just didn't feel comfortable with her. A lot of the things she told me contradicted a lot of what I learned from my first pregnancy--not just in regards to exercising (I know not every doctor is the same but she literally elevated my blood pressure and annoyed every fiber of my being) and the woman never even asked me what my birth plan was, so I switched. To her partner. lol.

I haven't had the "exercise" talk with her partner yet, but I am making an effort to be compliant with my current restrictions *grumble*. Now that the monkey boy is in school, finding the time to exercise (and blog) w/out added stress is so much easier!

I remembered that my EA Sports Active 2 had a HRM built into the leg and arm sensors so I tried that out this morning. I did only about 12 minutes and did some upper body strength. I set my goals for exercising 3 days a week (but started a 4 day/week program) and set my calorie and hourly goals pretty low. It's really disappointing to take such HUGE steps backwards, but I guess I have to do what I have to do. I'm pregnant now, and that is the biggest difference from when I started this goal. I can no longer do 365 days of exercise, until after the baby is born. Hopefully I can start over in Jan 2012. For now I will just do what I am allowed, for the sake of the baby.

The baby is due December 16th, and we are having another boy, that we are going to name Matthew Alexander, after my father (Alexander is his middle name).

My plan is to update this blog on the days that the monkey boy goes to school, if I am not working, and to exercise on my set days off (for now they are Tuesday, Friday-Sunday).

My biggest goal right now is just to keep my weight down (I've only gained 13 lbs in 5 months, which is awesome compared to my first pregnancy), as I am still considered obese, and I don't need to gain much weight for this baby. (it's a parasite and will take what it needs--believe me I have plenty to give!). My first pregnancy I gained A LOT of weight, and I don't plan to do that this time. Lucky for me, my cravings are cold fruit and cold veggies (isn't that awesome!?!). As long as my new ob/gyn is ok w/ my goals, this is what I plan to do. I will see her in a month and go over it with her then.

I will still update here on what I am doing. Exercise in pregnancy is important (although my 1st ob/gyn doesn't agree) and I am sure there are a lot of preggy women out there in the same boat that I am in, so I hope this helps to keep ya'll motivated.

On top of all of this, we are trying to buy a house before the baby is born. If we can't, then our goal is to buy a house in May 2012.

So, if I can do all of this, pregnant, so can you!

See you in a few days!

I can do this. I am a star!

Day 56-74 (technical difficulties)

2011-03-13T19:06:00.001-07:00

I'm having some difficulties with my computer and am having difficulties accessing blogger and a few other websites (they wont load properly for me). On top of that I am have been having A LOT of issues with my router (we have to reset it 3-4x a day *grumble*). On most days I can't even access my sparkpeople fitness/nutrition pages to update my exercise minutes (I don't get the pop up when I click on the "add" buttons to add to my diary) ! I have a bunch of tiny scraps of paper that I have things like "3/1/11 DDR 62/328" written on. I think it's time for a new computer :(.

Since I CAN get on right now *fingers crossed that it lets me publish* I will update now. I really hope this works. I have been keeping up my exercises daily but am still doing daily goals (having to do w/ not cheating lol).

Day 56: 2/25/11... 56 mins, 2.67 miles (walking)
Day 57: 2/26/11... 51 mins, 2.51 miles (walking)
Day 58: 2/27/11... 43 mins, 2 miles (walking)
Day 59: 2/28/11... 45 mins, heavy cleaning
Day 60: 3/1/11... 62 mins, Wii dance dance revolution (DDR)
Day 61: 3/2/11... 47 mins, 1.25 miles (walking) (my pedometer reset itself)
Day 62: 3/3/11 (our 5 year anny)... 57 mins, 2.47 miles (walking)
Day 63: 3/4/11... 60 mins, 2.84 mi and 20 mins heavy cleaning
Day 64: 3/5/11... 52 mins, 2.42 mi
Day 65: 3/6/11...62 mins, 3.33 mi
Day 66: 3/7/11... 30 mins heavy cleaning and 32 mins Wii DDR
Day 67: 3/8/11... 62 mins, 3.2 mi
Day 68: 3/9/11... 45 mins, 2 mi
Day 69: 3/10/11... 60 mins, 2.5 mi
Day 70: 3/11/11... 64 mins, 3.05 mi
Day 71: 3/12/11... 68 mins, 2.93 mi
Day 72: 3/13/11 (hubby's b-day)... 73 mins, 3.33 mi
Day 73: 3/14/11... 48 mins, 2.34 mi
Day 74: Today! 3/15/11... 54 mins, 2.91 mi

I hope I can publish this. I keep seeing the little "autosave failed" and it's making me nervous. My "H" key just popped off and won't pop back on either. lol. I guess it's just one of those days.

If I can find a decent app for my phone (my touch from T-Mobile) then I will try to update from there.

Hope everyone is well out there in bloggy land. Man, I hope this works...

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 55 (I heart DDR)

2011-02-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

Can ya'll guess what I did today? Yep. Dance Dance Revolution (DDR). This time I did it for 94 minutes and burned 482 calories. I didn't do it all at once, but throughout the day (30 min spurts).

Off to eat dinner w/ the family. Make today count! The simplest of things will do :).

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 54 (Wed 2/23/11)

2011-02-24T17:11:00.001-08:00

Another Dance Dance Revolution day. I love this game.

64 minutes, 365 calories
40 minutes, 265 calories (heavy cleaning)

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 53 (tuesday 2/22/11)

2011-02-24T17:06:00.000-08:00

It was a workday. I walked 3.08 miles in 60 minutes for exercise.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 52 shaking fist

2011-02-21T12:55:00.000-08:00

Can you guess what I did for exercise today? DDR! Again. Yep. I found a new reason to do it. It seems that the songs get stuck in my hubby's head pretty easily, if I do them more than once in a row. Fun stuff. I've got all sorts of great songs to torture him with. New Kids on the Block's, "The Right Stuff (You Got It)," Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," Coldplay the Pussycat Dolls and other really catchy songs. The Monkey Boy's fav so far is "Good Times" by Chic. I hear them singing or humming along and it just makes me laugh inside. I don't think he realizes my diabolical plan to torture him even when I am not around. All I have to do is say the word "Karen" and he thinks of the song that I often sing (after hearing that name) that Plankton from Spongebob Squarepants wrote to his computer wife Karen for their anniversary. So funny. I also sing it to my co-worker at work, cause that's her name. It would be funnier if she knew the song though.

What's that you say? You don't know it either? Well here you go!:

My son is singing this song now after searching for this video to post here lol. My hubby just squawked "See what you started?! *shaking fist*"

Anyway, my goal for the day was 400 calories and I was able to do that (405 calories) in 72 minutes.

DDR is an awesome and fun workout.

Oh my Karen, oh my Karen, ooh, my computer wife Karen...

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 51 (I think I'm addicted)

2011-02-20T12:12:00.000-08:00

Can you believe I have stuck to this for over 50 days? Yaay. It's gone by pretty quickly. I'm glad I decided to take time by the reins and take it for a ride. I feel like I am taking advantage of every single day. As I get older I feel like time goes by quicker and I regret feeling like sometimes it goes by wasted.

I think I am addicted. I did DDR again today on the Wii, and it's just so much fun. My hips were completely sore today, which is a good indicator that I touched muscles that I haven't touched in a while. I didn't know there were even muscles where they hurt! If there is muscle there, it's probably covered in fat like the rest of me, so yaay for touching it! *touch* *touch* *touch* (hopefully I can walk tomorrow lol).

I set a goal today to do the same thing that I did yesterday (roughly 60 minutes and 400 calories). I got to 60 minutes (actually 63) no problem but had only burned 327 calories. It must be the song choice *shrugs*. I decided to go longer, using calories as a target, instead of time and burned an additional 110 calories in 17 minutes--making it a total of 80 minutes and 437 calories. Yaay.

I'm done. And sweaty... I should take a sweaty picture for Jen's blog. No, not a pretty sight. I did take pictures of my dancing buddy (well the end results of my 2 workouts) . I dressed her myself. All in pink. I love me some pink.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 50 (Yaay for DDR!)

2011-02-19T13:03:00.000-08:00

During 2009 when I did my first 365 day challenge of exercise, I accumulated quite a few exercise-at-home type videos/games. One of them was Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) for the Wii. It is a lot of fun and has all sorts of modes. Back then I couldn't do the harder/faster songs, like I can do them now, so it's even more fun than it was back then.

The mode I choose most often is the Exercise Mode, which tracks your minutes and estimated calories burned based off of your weight and accuracy with the moves (it estimates your HR). I use the Wii Balance Board and the nunchucks. It consists of hula hooping turns, hip swings (to the left, right, front and back), punches and punch/shakes (hard to explain).

Today I did 60 minutes of DDR and burned 407 calories--it might have been 404. It showed me on my last song, but didn't take me to a "yaay you completed your goal" page, like I thought it would. Anyway, it was roughly around 400 calories (I saw 40_ calories). It took me longer than 60 minutes to complete, because each song is like less than 3 minutes, and then you have to select another song, but it was fun, and it went by fast enough. My hips, ankles and calves are a little sore now.

Yaay for posting early! Now I won't procrastinate and dread the rest of the day doing it. :)

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 49 (2/18/11)

2011-02-19T12:39:00.001-08:00

Friday was a good day for exercise. I did 2 workouts on EA Sports Active 2, back to back. I worked out for about 45 minutes and burned roughly 256 calories.

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but EASA2 has a heart rate monitor, and gives you a breakdown of your heart rate during your workout. Here are the stats for my 2 workouts, and the key in how it categorizes the different HR levels.

Workout #1

Workout #2
HR Zone key:

Did you notice that I am now doing "medium" intensity, instead of easy? I can totally handle it and it rocks!!! Parts can be a little difficult still, but I can do it! I can do all sorts of stuff I couldn't do last year and the year before like jumping squats, jumping lunges, jumping anything--I couldn't really jump w/out a lot of pain before. Nothing feels better than seeing/feeling your body get stronger. The only thing that stinks about that is, now it's (my body) gonna expect more out of me, to see results. Awe man, but yaay!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 48 (2/17/11)

2011-02-19T12:34:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I totally forgot about Thursday. I thought I had just flaked out on yesterday's post (Friday 2/18).

Oh well. What's done is done.

I got in 5978 steps in 55 minutes. It was a work day so that is actually pretty good :).

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 47 (Wordless Wednesday)

2011-02-16T21:53:00.000-08:00

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 46 (2/15/11)

2011-02-16T21:52:00.001-08:00

I did 30 minutes of heavy cleaning and walked for 25 minutes. My pedometer reset itself and I only got 2471 steps out of it.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 45 (2/14/11)

2011-02-16T21:50:00.000-08:00

Monday 2/14/11

6941 steps in 66 minutes. It was a work day.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 44

2011-02-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

Today I walked 5495 steps.

Off to bed. I work in the morning.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 43 (saturday)

2011-02-13T20:26:00.000-08:00

Saturday I tried to catch up on some missed workouts on EA Sports Active 2. I did 2 of them. It was a great workout.

Before this, though, I did about 30 minutes of heavy cleaning. I also walked 4905 steps.

It was a good day for exercise. My goal was to do 60 minutes, and I surpassed that :).

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 42

2011-02-11T21:44:00.000-08:00

5136 steps in 46 minutes.

I'm off tomorrow and plan to exercise a minimum of 60 minutes. Hopefully I'll stick to it!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 41

2011-02-10T21:24:00.000-08:00

I am so tired of blogging and I am not even 45 days into it! I am able to find the motivation to exercise (going to Disneyland again in May and want a good "after" picture to compare w/ last year's pic), but the blogging part is coming a little harder.

Today I didn't do much. I walked only a mile in 15 minutes. I guess it's a (non)rest day.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 40 (2/9/11)

2011-02-10T21:17:00.002-08:00

Wed Feb. 10, 2011

11618 steps (roughly 5.5 miles).
I got called into jury duty and did A LOT of walking and climbing stairs. We had a 2 hour lunch and I got there almost an hour early so I walked around beforehand and climbed up and down stairs just for the exercise, waiting to be let go. I walked for a good 2.5 hours.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 39 (2/8/11)

2011-02-10T21:13:00.000-08:00

Tuesday Feb. 8, 2011

6875 steps in 53 minutes (roughly 3.25 miles).

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 38 (do something intentional)

2011-02-07T21:50:00.000-08:00

Work. Oye. So glad it's over, so sad that I have to go back. Hopefully the day won't repeat itself.

squat + holds--10 ea
lunges + holds 3 (on each side)

not much but its something more than what I was doing last year and it was intentional.

g'n!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 37

2011-02-06T20:12:00.000-08:00

You know what bugs me each time I do this exercise game (EA Sports Active 2)? It says at the bottom that I can go to their website for a more in-depth Workout Results, which I REALLY want to do. When I first go this, it made me create a user name so I could do this. Well when I go to the website and type in the user name I created, to get my workout results, it tells me that it's already in use. Well duh! By me! The website is making me create a new user name. What's the point in prompting me to make a user name, if I can't use it?

*shrugs*

I feel as though I have complained about this already lol. It just bugs me ;).

I get to work in the morning. yaay me.

Have a good one.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 36 (Silent Saturday)

2011-02-05T21:15:00.000-08:00

Day 35

2011-02-04T22:42:00.000-08:00

Today was a busy day. I went and got the Monkey Boy glasses. We did a lot of walking and while we sat (him in my lap) I decided it was a good opportunity to work on my calf muscles.

I did 40 calf raises, w/ the monkey boy in my lap (30+ lbs). Needless to say, my calves are a little sore. I guess it was another (non)rest day. I plan to catch up on my EA Sports Active 2 workouts tomorrow.

Off to bed. *yawn*

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 34

2011-02-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

This post is for yesterday (Thursday). I fell asleep when I got home from work and didn't wake up! I'm glad I did my exercising at work.

I wanted to try to use my surroundings at work. I am stuck at a desk for the majority of the day and it reminds me of this group I am in on sparkpeople (quickfire challenge). They post challenges to do at work, while sitting at a desk and such.

I sit in a rolling chair, and sometimes it can be hard to control (it's squirrely). I decided to use that as an advantage. I did push/pull always, to work my biceps, back and triceps. When you push and pull you're working all sorts of muscles at the same time. Sweet.

I did 25 push/pull thingies in my rolling chair--much harder than it sounds. I felt it mostly in my forearms.

I also wore my pedometer and did 5919 steps for 54:39 minutes.

Be back later today to post about today's exercise adventure. Gonna go search for small enough frames for the Monkey Boy (he got a prescription for glasses on Wednesday).

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 33 (Wordless Wednesday)

2011-02-02T17:52:00.000-08:00

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 32

2011-02-01T20:56:00.001-08:00

Today is gonna be a quickie.

I did alternating lunges. My legs are sore now. I LOVE that feeling (but not the next morning). I did 50, on each side, in consecutive groups of 10. Monkey Boy joined me. He's so cute.

The end!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 31

2011-01-31T21:37:00.000-08:00

Today was an exhausting day at work. I'm so glad I don't have to go back for 2 days and that I get to sleep in. Hubby is still on call until Friday, so we might get woken up until then (I didn't sleep well last night anticipating him getting called in again).

I got home and was just bushed. Mondays at work area always really busy. I'm so glad it's over. I got home, did some walking lunges and that's it. I guess it'll be a (non)rest day. I just want to go to sleep. Can I just say though, that I am super surprised that I can do walking lunges??? I haven't done those since high school volleyball. It's a good sign that I'm getting stronger! I couldn't even do them in 2009 when I felt like I was in better shape than I am now.

I did 5813 steps at work for 54:22 minutes. Funny how it's always around the 5K mark.

Off to bed.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 30 (1 down 11 to go!)

2011-01-30T20:57:00.001-08:00

I have to tell you that all day today, while at work, I was looking forward to coming home to exercise. Today is the 30t day of the 30 day challenge that I have been doing! I was excited to see how it would end.

I knew I would receive a trophy for completing the challenge, but I didn't know if there would be fireworks or something (lol--Wii Fit would do something like that). There wasn't. It was just Bob Greene congratulating me for completing the challenge. He flips his hair around, his mouth has A LOT of expression in it and his hands are extremely animated when he talks and that's all I can really focus on. LOL. Yes, I'm one of those. I do that when we watch the news and it probably drives my hubby crazy, cause I always have to point something out.

So I got a new trophy (for completing the challenge) and it was nice and shiny. I love me some shiny. It should have been pink though. lol. I bought this game in 2009 when I did my first 365 days of exercise, and I don't think I have ever completed the "30 Day Challenge" in one shot, so this is a yahoo moment (it's about time!). I really thought I did this in 30 days or less but it I didn't get that trophy, so I will have to try again for it in the coming months. Maybe if I do it tomorrow, I will get it. We'll see.

So I am excited to say that I have completed my first medium sized goal in 2011--to complete the 30 day challenge on EA Sports Active :). Yaay! 1 month down, 11 to go!

It was 14 minutes and I burned 94 calories.

I also wore my pedometer to work (the one that sleeps on the job) and it said that I did 5301 steps in 52:43 minutes.

I have to work again tomorrow so I'll be back in the evening.

Make it count! This year is already flying by pretty fast already. Can you believe it's almost February?? Soon it will be April and then it will be July again! I can't believe how fast time goes by.

Take care.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 29 (1 day left!)

2011-01-29T20:42:00.000-08:00

Today was my day off and I completely forgot that my MIL was giving me my birthday present today--a photo shoot of my son (he just turned 4). I exercised first thing when I got up, like I planned, but then we headed to the mall and I put on my pedometer (the spiffy one I mentioned yesterday) because I knew I would be doing A LOT of walking.

At home I did EA Sports Active's 30 day challenge (can you believe I have only 1 day left???) and that ended up being 12 minutes burning 68 calories.

I am surprised and a little disappointed w/ my spiffy pedometer, because I think it falls asleep on the job and doesn't keep track like it should. I noticed it this morning when I was outside with the monkey walking, while he was riding his bike. I walked down the street and up again, and it said I took like 4 steps. What the hizzy yo?

So when I got home from the mall, I looked at it (from being there for 4--count'em 4 hours!) and it said 4050 steps and that I was only moving for 43 minutes. *buzzer* wrong answer. Maybe it needs a new battery. Maybe I'll have hubby do that tomorrow while I'm at work and wear my dino pedometer (it's old).

Ok well I'm off to bed. Have a good weekend!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 28 (If I can do it, so can you!)

2011-01-28T21:43:00.000-08:00

Today was another workday. I guess I mention this because I want to show people out there that it is possible to work full time, have a family and fit exercise in, even if it is just a short amount. I work 12 hour shifts, have a mentally taxing desk job and can do it. If I can do it, so can you!

My family is very supportive in that they (my 4 year old son and hubby) let me exercise when I get home from work. It's truly a blessing because I get to take care of myself, and get to show my son, by example, how important exercise should be, and how important it is to make time for, no matter what's going on in your life.

Today I wore a special pedometer that I bought in 2009 during my first challenge. It keeps track of steps, calories burned (don't know how accurate this part is though), miles, time and length of time that you are moving. Today I only did 4987 steps, and was in motion for a total of 49:54 (out of 12.5 hours, isn't that sad?). It said I burned 151 calories.

I got home and put in EA Sports Active. I like that I can speed through it. Today's workout only took me 11 minutes, and I burned 74 calories. It was a lot of jumping. Jumping that I couldn't do when I first got this game in 2009. It's amazing how much of a change I see in myself over the last 2 years. It's great.

I also discovered that a co-worker that did the HCG diet recently (with his wife) has a website that he sells it on now (the stuff my other friend from work gave to me, that I mentioned here previously)! More on this later... very exciting stuff though.

Off to bed. I'm off from work tomorrow so I plan to get this done earlier than later (lol we'll see).

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 27 (short but sweet)

2011-01-28T05:09:00.001-08:00

Doh! 27 days in and I forget to blog? Oye. I realized this at 11:30pm, while 1/2 asleep. lol.

1/27/11 I did EA Sports Active and it only had me do 14 minutes. I burned 79 calories (thank goodness for my sparkpeople fitness tracker--I wouldn't have remembered this!). It was an arm day.

Off to work! Be back tonight.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 26

2011-01-26T21:57:00.000-08:00

Today was an exhausting day at work. The day just couldn't end soon enough for me.

My goal for exercise today was to get in 10,000 steps. For those of you that don't know, I changed jobs last year. I am not working on the floor as a CNA anymore but now as a Monitor Tech/Unit Secretary for the same department I was working for (I'm forced to stay at my desk unless I can find someone to cover me). I stare at heart rhythmns all day looking for changes (I work on a critical care unit) and entering doctor's orders on the computer.

As a CNA I was on my feet for a minimum of 10 hours and on an average day walked 14k-16k (6.6-7.5 miles) steps. The job I have now is pretty sedentary. I sit for the majority of the day, so getting in 10k steps on a work day seemed like a good challenge to me. It sure was!

I didn't quite make 10k steps, but I got close. 9322 steps (4.41 miles). Not bad for sitting on my butt all day at work. I did walk a lot more today than I usually do. I wore my pedometer to work last week and barely hit 3200 steps. Not bad at all :).

I'm ready to go to bed. I'll be up and ready to do EA Sports Active first thing in the am.

Have a good night!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 25

2011-01-25T21:43:00.000-08:00

Today I had to go to work so I couldn't exercise until after I got home. I did EA Sports Active (1) again, and this time it had me do 15 minutes and burn 106 calories.

I was able to obtain my first set of lab work to compare with what I have now, and my numbers are definitely looking better. I'll post more details on my day off, but there is a difference of 24lbs to begin with, so that's a nice drop in number.

I'll be back tomorrow night after work again. This is my last week of my 30 day Challenge on EA Sports Active, so that's exciting to see a goal come to an end.

Have a good night!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 24

2011-01-24T22:18:00.000-08:00

Today I woke up and exercised first thing (I love when I do that). I did EA Sports Active again and this time it was only 14 minutes and I burned 84 calories.

It was a busy day with a doctor appointment for the Monkey Boy (poor thing is sick a lot). He has more medicine and has to do his breathing treatments again (poor thing cried and cried). My hubby is upset that he has to take all of these meds (he needs glasses too), but I just feel blessed because we CAN afford his medicine and CAN afford to take him to the doctor when he is sick (since it is so often). I guess it is just bitter-sweet.

So I am still waiting for my syringes to come in to use with the HCG that I got in a few weeks ago (I wonder what is taking so long???). I took my HCG (homeopathic) this morning and saw that I only have a few days left. After talking it out w/ hubby, and seeing my weight not increase too much over the last few days, we both decided to stop until I know I have a steady supply (when the syringes come in). It would stink to run out and not have the syringes yet. I'm maintaining my weight in the 180s for now, and decided to not be in such a rush (although I do want to have another baby soon). I have a good low sugar/high protein shake that I will start drinking for breakfast, and am being very adamant about taking my vitamins (stupid vitamin deficiencies). It will be whatever God wants it to be. He has given me the strength thus far. I just feel blessed that I just have so much support around me to accomplish whatever it is that I want to do, and that I have a fighting spirit to not give up.

Off to bed. These late night blogging sessions have to stop. Guess that will go on the list of things to work on also. At least I got the late night exercise sessions to stop being a regular thing (on my days off).

Good night!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 23

2011-01-23T22:08:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday. I'm now 33! It's also the last day that I can't take HCG, yaay (it's been a rough week w/out it)! Since I haven't been able to take HCG hubby convinced me that I should go the alternate route (advised from a doctors office) and go off of the low calorie diet, and just do phase 3, when I can't take it. It's the best thing for my health right now, and I am not seeing any severe repercussions so it's all good (long, boring story). Tomorrow will be right as rain again.

My hubby surprised me with flowers this morning when I woke up (pretty pink and purple ones that remind me of my wedding bouquet), and I was greeted with a BIG happy birthday from my little boy when he woke up with a very hoarse voice (he's sick AGAIN). We went to lunch, shopping and came home and chillaxed for a little while cause the little one was in a crabby mood (can't blame him). We went to dinner, came home and I exercised.

I did the EA Sports Active (the first one) and did 18 minutes worth and burned 111 calories.

It's late and although the little boy is sick, we had a good day. I even got a group picture out of it (I can never get a decent picture w/ the Monkey Boy anymore).

Off to bed. Hope you had a great weekend and made it count!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 22

2011-01-22T22:39:00.001-08:00

Today was a family day for us (weekends when I am off usually are). We walked all over today, for the most part window shopping. I forgot to wear my pedometer so I am not sure how far total (I walked more today than the average day.)

After getting home pretty late I did some speed heavy cleaning. Have you ever done that? It's fun. It was a completely conscious thing (doing it purposely) so I could totally feel my heart pumping as I was doing it. I also did some lunges and squats to pick things off of the floor. Monday was my son's birthday so it looks like a little Tasmanian Monkey Boy hit this place. It was nice to get this place in some sort of order again.

I guess I would call today a non-rest day, as I didn't pop in my EA Sports Active (it's a rest day there) and do my usually stereotypical exercises.

Off to bed.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 21

2011-01-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

Today was a LONG day. It was non stop almost from the moment I woke up, until now. I am glad I exercised first thing this morning, or I would be stuck doing it now, when I am very grateful to have my bed waiting for me.

I had a doctors appointment this morning and got some news that I didn't expect, at all. Some good stuff, some not so good, but either way I have a new reason for losing weight. I'll talk more about that later. It's a bit embarrassing because I feel like I have been naive to a certain part of my life. *shrugs*

Anyway today I did the EA Sports Active (1st one) for 19 minutes and burned 125 calories. I weighed in today at 184.8 and lost some inches.

It's late so I'm gonna hit the sack. Have a good weekend!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 20... Man, I love me some pink + sparkly!

2011-01-20T21:21:00.000-08:00

It was a long day at work and I just finished exercising (it's always a long day at work having to be there for over 12 hours). Today was my last day until Tuesday. Yaay! My birthday is this weekend and so I'm happy to have it off although I don't have any special plans. Hubby already spoiled me this year with my pink bling bling swarovski license plate frame, pink sub woofer and amp (accent colors on my silver '08 Scion XB are black and pink+sparkly ;)--did ya'll know I was into cars?) and by letting me buy EA Sports Active 2. What a generous hubby I have!

Today for exercise I did EA Sports Active (the first one) for 19 minutes and burned 125 calories. I am more than 1/2 way completed with my 30 day challenge and can see a change in my strength and endurance. I can totally do things this time around than I could previously. It's amazing how much more easily you can move when you have less junk hanging on you (aka fat). It was a good day for exercise.

I weighed in this morning at 185.2 (yaay). That's all I'm gonna say about that. I currently cant take HCG due to a protocol restriction at the moment and I am bumming on that (there are surprisingly a few reasons why Dr. Simeons says you should take HCG). Oh well. A few more days and I can start again.

On another note, I realized what my problem is, and I just need to meditate and pray on it. Prayer helps find all answers. I need to take this to heart and just do it. Tomorrow I have a doctors appointment with my awesome doctor to get the results of my (pre HCG--round 3) blood work, and get my ultrasound results. Then I have a nail appointment (time for some different pink and sparklies!). Then I'm going to Costco to stock up on asparagus and all that good stuff I can eat. Joy.

Plan to exercise in the morning, but we'll see about the actual blog post.

Take care!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 19 (it was my stinkin' FIL (hehe))

2011-01-19T21:45:00.000-08:00

So I just polished off 14 minutes and 86 calories on the Wii with EA Sports Active. I really didn't want to, but I knew it would end sooner than it would take me to whine about doing it, so I just sucked it up and did it.

So the last few day's I haven't mentioned weight/measurements because I was on a scheduled break and was cheating. Those numbers usually aren't too pretty. I did an apple day yesterday (cheated last night, ugh!) but had a revelation. Why should I not cheat? It's not because I want to be successful so that I can have a baby sooner than later...it's because my stinkin' father-in-law is doing it (the HCG diet--his 1st round, my 3rd)...and he is NOT cheating! If he can do it I can to. What the hizzy yo!?! pssht.

So today I did NOT cheat (can you believe that's what it took?). I had an apple day (ate apples all day again) but for dinner I had chicken. Just chicken. I feel pretty good. Tired from an exhausting day at work (super busy), but that's to be expected.

I don't remember what I weighed on Monday (forgot to write it down, doh!).
Tuesday I weighed in at 189.6
Today I weighed in at 187.4
Boy, at this rate, it feels like Christmas waiting for tomorrow morning to come! lol. I'm glad those cheats/scheduled break didn't hurt too badly.

Tomorrow will be interesting though, because I haven't been shopping and don't have any HCG approved veggies in the house. When I get home from work, that's usually a dangerous time for me (I just want to eat). Wonder what I'll do. My last round I was experimenting with fresh/frozen edamame. It's high in protein and I was finding several sources that said it was high in fiber and low enough in starch. I don't have any iodine to test it myself. Anyone experiment w/ it and have results? We'll see. Hopefully the strength from today will spill on over to tomorrow.

Off to bed.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 18 (a twofer)

2011-01-18T21:59:00.000-08:00

I worked today, went and picked the boy up at Nana and Papa's house (STILL waiting for Hubby to get home and it's 10pm!), came home, waited some more for Hubby, video chatted with him for a few minutes and then got to some exercise.

I have a lot of energy today. I am surprised because it's an apple day--in my previous rounds, apple day's always made me feel yucky w/ low energy (not today!). I threw on EA Sports Active (the 1st one) and did 15 minutes and burned 94 calories. After that was done, I threw on the 2nd one (can you believe it?!?) and did an additional 17 minutes and burned 77 more calories.

I guess I'm gonna hit the sack! Have to work again tomorrow so it'll be another late post.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 17 (Happy Birthday Monkey Boy!)

2011-01-17T21:43:00.000-08:00

Today is my son's 4th birthday. Happy Birthday Monkey Boy!!!

It was his special day and I let him do whatever he wanted and went wherever he wanted (usually he's full of "great ideas" but today he needed some help). He wanted to go to IHop for breakfast--I had one of the healthy option omelets w/ mushrooms, egg substitute and tomatoes--and I took him to Target to pick something special out for his birthday. He just didn't seem that into it, so I took him to Toys R Us also. He seemed a little off all day (not as energetic) and I didn't think much of it until late afternoon when we were playing at home. The poor thing ended up w/ a fever (low grade). He's better now (broke it by himself), but poor thing. How sucky to not feel 100% on your special day. He seems like he's better than he was earlier, but he's still not himself.

Anyway I did some random exercises today. Lunges, squats, side lunges, torso twists...I tried to do some jump squats, but my left knee was just not as willing as I was. I am still a little sore from yesterday, which really surprises me.

Today was a scheduled break from HCG. I wanted to let the Monkey Boy eat where ever he wanted, w/out mama's restrictions and it wasn't a bad day (for me). I take that back. Dinner was at Cici's and that wasn't the best, but he was happy and he ate well.

Have to work in the morning. Be back tomorrow evening.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 16

2011-01-16T22:37:00.001-08:00

Today was such a busy day. I knew it was going to be challenging to get up early enough to exercise (seeing that I love sleep so much) and I didn't. I decided then to use what I had learned during my previous 365 days of exercise, and use what I had to make exercise.

I ended up doing about 90 minutes of speed walking today. My legs are SORE (I didn't expect this at all). I sped walked on purpose (I didn't have to, but I like to embarrass my hubby in public lol). We had a lot of errands to do today before meeting up at Chuck E Cheese (we had my son's 4th birthday party today there) and I sped walked everywhere we went. It was about 10-15 minutes in each spurt, so it wasn't consecutive. It was like my own personal Quickfire Challenge (you usually spread them out throughout the day). Good stuff.

I woke up weighing the same again. I'm not surprised. Actually, I am kind of, because I thought I would have gained (all the cheating). I do have some GREAT news though. I didn't cheat at chuck e cheese today! Can you believe it? We had cupcakes, cookies and pizza and I didn't touch any of it! The day wasn't a total success though as I did cheat once I got home, but last night I had decided to make today and tomorrow (Sunday and Monday) a scheduled break in the diet, because I knew the temptation would be too strong. My cheats were all w/in phase 3 limitations though, so that's not that bad. So that being said, I am pretty happy w/ myself. Today had huge potential to be a total train wreck for me.

Tomorrow morning I am going to take my son to IHop for breakfast because it's his birthday. I will probably have an egg white omelette and maybe some turkey bacon (all phase 3 legal--hopefully there won't be too much damage!). We'll see. Maybe tomorrow will be the day that I find my will power again.

Have a good night!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 15 (I really must stop cheating. like. forreally.)

2011-01-15T22:19:00.000-08:00

I'm so...tired. Must...sleep. Must stop cheating... :(

I almost fell asleep exercising. I waited too late to start. I did the EA Sports Active 2 for 17 minutes--I was really impatient tonight...just wanted it to be over and done w/ so I can be 1 step closer to my bed--and burned a whopping 83 calories! wow. How impressive is that?

This morning I weighed in the same as yesterday, but lost inches I think on my hips and somewhere else (wanna say my leg??). I forget where off hand, and am too tired/lazy to go find my phone to get those numbers. I'm sure it's dead where ever it is. I'll just update w/ tomorrow's blog in the morning (yes, I am committing myself to exercise early, before I do anything else).

Good night! DLTBBB!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 14

2011-01-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

Man I'm so tired. I worked today and didn't get the best sleep last night. I had to force myself to do something. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing at all.

I did the EA Sports Active (1) tonight. I wanted to do #2, but I promised myself that I would finish the 30 Day Challenge and I want to stick to it. I did 13 exercises, burned 52 calories in 9 minutes. It was a lot of leg stuff. It said it was an arm day, but it was totally legs (why is it so backwards??). Some basketball drills (arms/lunges), alternating lunges, squats, squat holds and some shoulder presses (maybe that's where they get the arm day from *shrugs*).

Off to bed.

Oh! I almost forgot.

R3P2D5 (Round 3, Phase 2, Day 5)

This morning I weighed in at 186.8 despite my cheating (-3.8 off of my start weight, -8.8 off of my highest weight from my load days)...

*sigh*

I cheated again today :(. I guess I'll try harder tomorrow. One of these days the cheating is gonna catch up w/ me...

Bust: 37.5 (-1)
R Arm: 11 (-0)
Waist: 33.5 (-1.5)
Hips: 42 (-1)
R Thigh: 21 (-0)

Ok this time I'm off to bed, for real.

GN! DLTBBB!!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 13

2011-01-13T20:48:00.001-08:00

I got a new toy! Last night we went to Target and they had EA Sports Active 2 on sale--40% off! I have been eying it for some time and hubby said I could buy it (an early bday present to me).

So this morning I woke up, did the original EA Sports Active, and then popped in #2. My USB thingy was faulty so it wouldn't let me use it. It tracks the info transmitted from the heart rate monitor and sensors that come with the game. Totally cool game (comes w/ a HRM?!? How awesome is that!). Needless to say I was disappointed that I couldn't do anything w/ it.

I called the customer service number and they said to send it back to them, and they would replace it (he said it was a pretty common problem w/ EASA2). I decided to just go back to Target and exchange it there, since I really want to play this thing. The replacement was not faulty and I was able to use it. Yaay!

I did the original for 21 minutes, burning 129 calories, and the EASA2 for 18 minutes and burned 91 calories. The 2nd one is different than the first. The first starts off w/ cardio (running or the like) and the 2nd starts w/ like a warm up-warm up (like active stretching), and ends with stretching. It has a real warm up and cool down, and tracks your HR the entire time--you actually see it up on the screen. Pretty cool.

Anyway, as far as my diet (R3P2D3) I'm not doing that great! Although my weight and measurements were the same as yesterday, that isn't real great. I think this round has been the toughest for me. I totally cheated last night and again today (I didn't do this w/ Phase 1 + 2). I would say that I don't know what my problem is, but I do. I was eating pretty healthy before I started round 3, and to go backwards and eat all of the "forbidden" foods to load w/, made me realize what I have been missing out on. It gave me a taste of stuff that I had forgotten that I liked. REALLY liked :(. I totally blew it again today, because I said that if I didn't gain, I wouldn't cheat... but I did, but only towards the end of the day. I was totally good until hubby got home and made something for dinner for him and the Monkey Boy, and I wanted a bite of. And I did. Then another and another, and by the time my fish was done cooking, I was pretty much full.

Oh well, I guess I will just try again tomorrow. It'll be easier because I have to work, and being confined to a desk makes it easy to not cheat. I know I can do it, if I can just make it a few days w/out cheating (lucky for me I work for the next 2 days). I will have to be really strong after that, because it's The Monkey Boy's birthday, and well, you know what goes w/ birthdays. Cake and/or cupcakes.

I'll be back tomorrow evening. Hope everyone has a good night!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 12

2011-01-12T08:58:00.000-08:00

Today I did the Wii Fit Plus, as it is a "rest day" on EA Active Sports. I did 30 minutes and burned 109 calories. I want to continue to exercise, but I don't want to overdue it while I'm on this diet.

R3P2D2 (Round 3, Phase 2, Day 2)

This morning I weighed in at 188.2! Sweet.

Bust: 38.0 (-0.5)
R Arm: 11 (-0)
Waist: 34 (-1)
Hips: 42.5 (-0.5)
R Thigh: 21 (-0)

Not bad! We will see how tomorrow goes. Off to wake the Monkey Boy up!

Have a good day. Make it count!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 11 (17 squared)

2011-01-11T21:21:00.000-08:00

Today I saw a theme with exercise. 17. I did 17 exercises for 17 minutes and burned 117 calories (EA Active again). Fun stuff, huh? It said I was gonna focus on my arms again, but it was just a bunch of lunges in different directions.

R3P2D1 (Round 3, Phase 2, Day 1)
I weighed in this morning at 193.4 (*tear*) but didn't do my measurements. I'll start tomorrow. I Did 2.25 load days--2 load days and load dinner last night because I burned my fish *grumble* (I've never burned anything in my life until now! What the hizzy yo?). Yesterday I weighed in at 195.6 so I actually dropped!

Today for breakfast I had coffee and a honey crisp apple (yum!!)
for lunch I had a salad : dark green romaine w/ cherry tomatoes and ground chicken
for dinner I had garlic halibut and french cut green beans (I ran out of asparagus) cooked in some fat free chicken broth.

I also drank 5 bottles of water (17 ozs)

I couldn't help myself because they were staring me in the face--I also had 2 chocolate chip cookies. Hubby made me throw them away *cry*

Doesn't sound like a lot, but I feel great! Of course I took my HCG. I wouldn't eat like this w/out it.

I worked today, it's getting late and I want to snuggle w/ the hubby before bed. Be back tomorrow.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 10 (a long time ago)

2011-01-10T21:35:00.001-08:00

It feels like I exercised such a long time ago that it feels like I didn't exercise. It was only this morning, and I was done by 9am. Sweet.

I did EA Active Sports and burned 114 calories for 18 minutes. Later this afternoon I got into a cleaning frenzy and did some heavy cleaning for maybe 90 minutes. When hubby got home, he could tell because he said "wow, someone has been busy" lol. I guess that's a man's way of saying it looks nice :).

I had my ultrasound of my thyroid today (I thought it was Saturday but I guess I was wrong) but wont know any results until Jan 21st. Maybe.

Have to work tomorrow, so off to bed.

Have a good night!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 9 shrugs

2011-01-09T21:23:00.000-08:00

Today's gonna be a short post. The Monkey Boy and Hubby are waiting for me to watch Mr. Bean.

Today I did the Wii Fit Plus. It has...I forget what they are called, customized workouts or something like that. You just tell it what you want to work on (posture, legs/hips, arms, overindulge, etc) and it gives you workouts (you can have up to 3+ for each) based on your selections.

I did 15 mins worth and burned 77 calories.

Today is day 2 of Phase 1 (HCG Diet--Round 3). It's my 2nd load day and I feel like I am gonna pop. Yesterday I ate ALL day and pretty much fatty crap foods. I gained only 1 lb. *shrugs*. If I eat healthy and exercise, I gain TWO lbs. Eat crap all day, gain 1. *shrugs.* At least it will be gone soon.

Be back tomorrow.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 8

2011-01-08T21:51:00.000-08:00

Today is another late day. I just finished EA Sports Active and it's almost 10pm! I'm just glad I did it. I think it was supposed to be a "rest day" because it mentioned something about rest days --I aimlessly hit the "A" button so I didn't catch what it said--but it gave me a workout anyway. I'm pretty sure the pattern is 2 on 1 off, and today was a 3rd in a row. Anyway it was focusing on upper body, was 16 minutes and I burned 99 calories.

I noticed something today when we were out and about. I'm not sore! I don't know when this happened, but it just feels like I have recently used my muscles, like I have muscles (I am more aware of them again lol).

I woke up this morning w/ a 2lb gain, so I'm back to around the +10lb mark (I started the week off at 180). I really don't get it. I decided to go ahead and start w/ Round 3 (starting off w/ the homeopathic HCG that a friend from work gave to me). Today was load day 1 (tomorrow is the last). People talk about how there are 2 really awesome things about this diet--the load days and the weight loss. Although I do agree w/ one of them, it's not the first. The load days are torture to me. Stuffing myself and eating all the stuff I normally don't eat isn't as great as you'd think it would be. The HCG makes me feel full too, although I'm sure tomorrow will be a whole lot worse. The positive part is that the Monkey Boy is having a growth spurt so he is eating a lot to and that makes me VERY happy (who isn't happy when their baby dolls eat?). Here are my stats, although I'm a little embarrassed to be throwing them out there in the wind:

190.4 (ugh!!!!!!)
Bust: 38.5
R Arm: 11
Waist: 35
Hips: 43
R Thigh: 21

This is my 3rd round and I am wondering how my body will react. My first round, I lost a lot pretty quickly. My second round was pretty sluggish, but I still lost a fair amount of weight. Since I started this resolution (again) I have gained 10lbs, so I just want it off. If...when I get down to my magic number, then I want to try to have another baby. That's the whole reason why I'm doing this again. I want people to know that I'm pregnant when they look at me. Not that I'm just a "rolly pollie."

Off to bed!

See you tomorrow. The plan is to get this done and over with, sooner than later ;). We'll see.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 7 (Stickers!)

2011-01-07T22:34:00.000-08:00

Today I woke up and exercised right away. I did EA Active Sports on the Wii, in medium intensity. It was 23 minutes and I burned 153 calories.

There was a point where I wanted to just stop (jumping squats...ugh!) and my little boy was a great motivational coach! He told me "just do it" and I said "I can't" (reversed roles this time) and he kept telling me I could do it, and then he said that I would get a prize if I did it. So I did and my prize was a sticker wad lol. How sweet is that. I <3 my Monkey Boy.

Today I procrastinated w/ blogging. 1030pm and I'm just getting around to it. lol oh well. Oh! My partial egg day worked. I lost 2 lbs, so I didn't start round 3 today. Maybe tomorrow. I keep putting it off because technically I shouldn't start until the 10th, but I want 2 days at home so that I can load properly and I have to work on Tuesday (hard to do a load day when you are confined to a desk). We'll see what tomorrow brings. If I gain again, maybe a day or 2 early won't hurt.

OK off to bed, after I finish playing Bejeweled 3.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 6 "You made that look easy"

2011-01-06T21:55:00.001-08:00

Duh, maybe that's because it was! I just got finished doing Wii's EA Sports Active and it focused on upper body strength. It was only 16 minutes long and I burned 92 calories. "You made that look easy" was the last thing that my "trainer" said lol (so dumb).

I guess I'm done. It's late, I'm tired and I exercised. I'm just happy I am sticking to this. I feel like it never stopped, with the blogging and the procrastinating and the working... like I am back in the same place that I was at the beginning of last year. *shrugs*

Oh! I gained ANOTHER 2 lbs. What the hizzy yo? I did a partial egg day, eating 8 egg whites and a large chicken salad for dinner. It came w/ dressing on it, so I was a little bummed about that, but whatever. I'm really considering starting HCG tomorrow. If I gain again in the morning, I'm definitely going to start. I havent gotten my order in yet, but a friend from work gave me the homeopathic drops that she had (she had an allergic reaction to it. yikes!). Isn't that nice of her?

Ok off to bed. See you tomorrow! Hope everyone is well and blessed!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 5 What the hizzy?

2011-01-05T17:42:00.000-08:00

Today I did the Wii Fit again (it's an actual rest day on EA Active Sports--I checked twice lol). I did one of the Wii Fit Plus routine thingies. It was 41 minutes long (but took like an hour!) and a mixture of cardio (running), hula hooping (which I suck at btw), strength training (squats, lunges etc) yoga and posture/balance/relaxation stuff (a lot of it is standing still and focusing on not moving at all--not easy for me to do I guess lol).

Anyway I got it over and done with. Yaay. Now I can relax.

I made an interesting observation this morning...actually yesterday morning, but I wanted to see if it was just a 1 day thing. Since I started exercising daily, I have been gaining weight daily. I am so used to weighing myself daily from the HCG diet and staying within the +/- 2 lbs that it stuck and I continue to do it. Day 1+2, it was like +.6lbs, yesterday and today have been a whopping 2lbs a day increase! Protocol calls for a steak day, but I can't do red meat (it makes me gain even more) so I guess I'll do an egg day. What the hizzy though? You would think exercise would help you lose. The other thing that bugs me is that my pants are tighter! I will be starting the diet on the 10th...I'm REALLY tempted to start early, but I should follow the protocol and do the 8 wks I'm supposed to (I'm about to start phase 3). Whatever. We'll see. It's only been 5 days. If I continue to gain, I'll just quit the whole thing.

Haha! I'm TOTALLY j/k. I'm not gonna quit. Especially since I already know that I can do this. I'm a star! (deja vu).

Working tomorrow, so it'll be a late post.

Have a good night!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 4 is procrastination day!

2011-01-04T22:05:00.001-08:00

It's 10pm and I JUST finished exercising. I thought for a second that I was going to blow it. I did the EA Active Sports 30 Day Challenge (day 2). I think this thing is playing mind games, because I swore I read AND heard her (my "trainer") say that we were focusing on upper body today, but all we did were various lunges (reverse lunges w/ a leg lift, side lunges with toe points and forward lunges). In my book, this counts as a leg day. We did some tennis drills, shoulder stuff and bicep curls too, but a lot more leg stuff. I exercised for only 22 minutes and burned 140 calories.

I was able to get in to see my doctor today and am so happy! It's the first time I have seen this doctor for personal reasons (I see her at work often) and was a little nervous. A while back I had mentioned here that I was doing the HCG diet and saw great results (have lost 40 lbs total) and wanted to discuss it with my doctor. I want to get blood work done again to compare with my previous lab work as an "after" and kind of as a "before" as I plan to do it again soon. My last doctor was completely "anti" so I was afraid of what her reaction would be.

She was 100% supportive and on board! She even offers the HCG diet in her office for $300 though--I buy mine online for $56 (3-5000IU ampules) and the supplies for $30-45 depending if I'm doing injections or sublingual AND this lasts me for 45 days. I'm seeing great results and have had no ill effects. She said that the research is 60 years old and no one wants to put in the effort to challenge his research. She follows the book Dr. Simeons wrote (like I do) and was so supportive. I was stoked! I am getting lab work done tomorrow and will compare it to what I had done before I started on the HCG diet with my previous doctor. When I have results, I will share them. Maybe. lol. Oh, and my sinus infection is almost gone (the whole reason why I went in the first place!). Double yaay.

I'm sure some of you are wondering why I didn't post my measurements and picture yet, like I did with the 2009 challenge (I would post a picture and measurements at the beginning of every month). I wanted to wait until I started the HCG diet again, so that will be soon!

I procrastinated all day with exercise, and see where it has left me? Exercising at 9:30pm when I should be in bed.

I'm off again tomorrow, so I'll be back... hopefully much earlier next time.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 3 (it's not a TOO-mah!)

2011-01-03T20:05:00.000-08:00

I am so glad to be home. I thought I was going to have to work an hour later tonight, but everything played out the way it was supposed to in the end. All day long I was looking forward to coming home to exercise. It's a nice feeling to have again.

I got home and threw my gym clothes on (the Hubby and Monkey Boy were still at Nana+Papa's house), turned on the Wii and got to business.

I restarted my EA Active Sports 30 Day challenge (lol) and sped through it, on the low setting. I had so much energy! Come to think of it, I had more energy today than I have in a while (make sense though, right?). It ended up being 16 minutes worth and 111 calories burned (5 METS baby!). Then I threw in the Wii Fit disk and did 10 minutes of the boxing thing. My back is gonna be sore (I hope). That was 13 mins and 70 calories.

I don't have to work tomorrow. Yaay. Have a doctors appointment though. It snowed here in Vegas, and I completely missed it. Got to work before it started, and when I got out, it had left no trace at all that it had ever been there. I miss the snow.

Hope everyone is starting 2011 off with a bang!

I'll be back tomorrow.
Like the terminator.
(it's not a TOO-mah!)

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 2 fart noise

2011-01-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

So today is day 2, and I have to say it was not that bad, even with having to work.

I got home from work and Hubby and Monkey Boy were both ready and willing to let Mama have the TV for exercise. Of course this didn't mean that they weren't going to be entertained by my exercising. I decided to do the Wii Fit today, because I thought today was a rest day on EA Active Sports, so I threw on the Wii Fit and started off w/ the body test (my Wii Fit age was 32--same as my real age), and did some strength training. I did:

Rowing Squats, 10 (100%) and then 30 (100%) and
Torso Twists, 3 (94%) then 6 (92%).

This is where the boys got their entertainment. They both thought it was totally necessary and EXTREMELY funny to make fart noises as mommy did the rowing squats. Wow. I sure do fart a lot (I think hubby was more into it than The Monkey Boy!). :)

Then I did some of the games:

Obstacle Course, Beginner--453 yards
Bird's-eye bull's-eye--184 points
soccer heading--65 points and
3 rounds of penguin slide (I think it was 3. it was either 2 or 3--mommy brain).

In all I did 21 minutes. Not a lot, but not bad considering I have been at work since 6am and didn't get home until close to 7pm.

I headed over to EA Active Sports to log in my journal (side note: I made a short term goal to follow through exactly with what EA Sports has planned for the 30 day challenge--I have yet to complete it, the way it wants me to so here goes nothing!) and saw that today was NOT a rest day like my hubby insisted. I plan to do it (fingers crossed) after the Monkey Boy gets tired of the Wii Fit. I just hope it's not too late. If I don't get to it, I'll just reset it again so I can do a pefect 30 days lol (can you guess how many times I've reset it? lol).

I feel pretty good today. Not nearly as sick as I was, so the antibiotics are definitely helping. I'm not as sore as I though I would be either. Just a little ache, but nothing that screams at me. I am proud of myself for not lagging after I got home from work. Yaay me!

Have to work again tomorrow, but I'll be back.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 1...oye.

2011-01-01T21:11:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Oh my gosh, I can't believe how much I dread typing this! I' procrastinated this ALL day. It's not hard, I just don't want to do it. Can't ya'll just read my mind so that I don't have to type this?? There is so much that I want to express, that I just get frustrated (not the right word--I just want to procrastinate...more), because I can't spit it all out fast enough, so I'll make this simple...after all, I have 365 days to do this.

I am going to do 365 days of exercise again. Yep. Again. I did it once before, I can do it again. Right? After getting exercise out of the way to type this now, I wonder if I can. I went through all of this before, so I know that I can do it. I know my legs are going to hurt tomorrow, and that will make the excuses easier to come. Bring it. One day at a time. Right? Looking at it now, I wonder how I am going to do this, becuase of some of the plans I have (more on those later) but I will just look at it one day at a time. God gives us the strength to do what we gotta do, right?

2010 was great, but it went by so fast and I am now disappointed that I didn't make every day count, the way I did in 2009 with exercise and this blog. My motivation back then, was my blog (at first). The only reason why I exercised, was to have a blog post for that day, but now I don't even want to blog, so I have to find the motivation for that, now too. I hate typing. *shrugs*

I am not doing 365 days of exericse, to lose weight--the diet I found and mentioned previously has been much more of a success in that department, but I miss how exercising regularly made me feel. Exercising is awe inspiring and it feels great when you are on a roll with it. It's just hard to get the momentum going at first. I want to be in that place again. I'm afraid that 2011 will go by just as quickly, and I want to be conscious of doing something daily, that is beneficial (I also plan to read the Bible daily). I don't want to cheat myself of time again (that makes it sound like I did absolutely nothing in 2010, doesn't it? lol).

Anyway, today I exercised. I am sick (on antibiotics) but forced myself to exercise. I slept most of the day but turned on EA Active Sports at 8:30 this evening (low intensity). I exercised for almost 20 mins an burned over 100 calories. Not great, but a start.

Have to work in the morning, so it will be interesting to see how this goes. I told Hubby that I would do the Wii again, but we'll see! Oye.

Anyway, hope you all had a happy and safe New Year celebration.

I'll be back tomorrow...oye.

Heres to a great 2011!

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength! (Phil 4:13)

Day 20+21

2010-09-26T15:03:00.000-07:00

So yesterday was Day 20 on Round 2 of the VLCD (R2P2D20). I weighed in at 187.8 (-1lb from the day before). It was a work day so I didn't have time to do my measurements.

Today--Day 21 (R2P2D21)

186.8lbs (-12 this round)

Bust: 38 (-4.5)
Arm: 10.8 (-1.2)
Waist: 33.5 (-6)
Hips: 42.8 (-3.7)
Thigh: 20.5 (-3)

I cheated today. I went to Cafe Rio. It was like a Phase 3 cheat, so hopefully I won't gain too much by tomorrow. If I do, oh well, not a big deal. I'm already down like 32lbs total since starting this entire diet (this is my 2nd round for those that don't know).

Have a great Sunday!

I can do this. I am a star.

R2P2D18

2010-09-24T09:12:00.001-07:00

Today my wt stalled but I lost inches (hence the name of the book the protocol came from, Pounds and Inches).

Day 19

188.8 lbs

Bust: 38.5 (-4)
Arm: 10.8 (-1.2)
Waist: 33.8 (-5.7)
Hips: 43 (3.5)
Thighs: 20.8 (-2.8)

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!

I can do this. I am a star.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Round 2, Phase 2, Day 18 (R2P2D18)

2010-09-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

Today's weigh in:

Day 18

188.6 (-10.2)

bust: 39.5 (-3)
arm: 11 (-1)
waist: 34.5 (-5)
hips: 43 (-3.5)
thigh: 20.8 (-2.8)

Yesterday I weighed 189.4 and the day before that I stalled (I don't think I drank enough water).

My current fav lunch on Phase 2 is this, because it reminds me of a hamburger:

Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps
3.5 ozs ground chicken
splash of chicken broth
3 romaine lettuce leafs
1/4 onion (diced)
1/8c diced red/yellow/green bell peppers
1 roma tomato diced
garlic powder
yellow mustard

A very filling and yummy lunch...
I have learned one of the key points in this diet (something you learn overall, in all phases) that a lot of it is learning how your body reacts to what you put in it. The diet was written a long time ago (1950's) so a lot has changed in regards to how we eat (for better and for worse), and so people have been experimenting, using the same key elements (no starchy veggies/fruits and lean meats, etc), because there is more available. That's why there are various versions of the HCG Diet out there. Some people are ok with mixing vegetables and chicken broth, others are not. I am ok with mixing a few tbsps of bell peppers or even salsa in with my protein (only once a day), and I don't see any ill effects. I am also able to use a few splashes of chicken broth to cook with as I would use oil. I am able to use it for lunch AND dinner without any problems. Some people even use EV Coconut Oil without any problems because it has a positive effect on your metabolism. I'm afraid to try because the regular protocol says no oil at all (except for mineral oil becuase our body won't metabolize it), even in lotion, soaps and makeup.

Tomatoes are a fruit (regardless of what the protocol says) and my body reacts to them as such, so I consider them a fruit here. I tried using them as a veggie one day during my first round, while having my 2 fruits and I stalled for 4 days (wont be doing that again). For those that don't know, sugar and starches are not allowed in phase 2 and phase 3, so all of my ingredients are free of these things. This meal consisted of 1 fruit, 1 veggie (a handful total of mixed) and 1 protein. For breakfast I eat a 1/2 grapefruit with lots of water and coffee (man I love me some raspberry chocolate stevia in my coffee!). For dinner I eat either asparagus with tilapia or maji maji (3.5 ozs uncooked) or 1/2 a diced onion (if I didn't eat it for lunch), garlic and shrimp (3.5 ozs uncooked) with miracle noodles to make a shrimp scampi-ish kind of dinner. So yummy! Sometimes I even make soup.

Ya'll asked for a picture, so here ya go.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend.

I can do this. I am a star.

Here I am!

2010-09-20T11:27:00.001-07:00

So, I'm not really sure where to start, as it's been almost forever since my last blog post. I never intended to leave you guys hanging. I attempted a blog post a few weeks ago, writing it out in hand, to post here, but time escaped again, and things have changed even more so that what I wrote was old news. How can I keep up with myself to keep you guys updated with the trials and errors in my journey to being thin? I guess the answer would be to blog everyday, but I did that once before and I just don't want to do it again. lol. Maybe I will post a short weight/measurement daily, since I keep track of that anyway, and will share anything special that comes my way, including but not limited to recipes for the different phases of the HCG diet.

I have been dreading this post because of the diet I mentioned that I was on last time. I knew that this post would be an extremely long, drawn out and defensive post, trying to explain everything, and I don't want it to be that way. There is SO MUCH info out there (seriously, just google "HCG Diet"), that there is no way that I can site everything, and take you on the same journey that I went on. I did read all of the negative articles as well and just did what I felt was right for me (I started off being very skeptical). So, that being said, if you don't have anything nice to say, I'm sure I have thought it as well. This is my decision, and I know a lot of you won't approve, so if you don't like it, I would appreciate you just not saying anything at all. Thank you in advance :).

Let me start by saying that since my last blog post, I have lost another 16 lbs (down 29.2 lbs total). I am on a second round of the diet that I mentioned (The HCG Diet). I did the first round for 23 days, then did the maintenance phase (aka phase 3--the phase that resets your metabolism) for the same amount of time, and now I am on my second round of phase 2.

People that don't understand this diet or who think they know this diet based on the little info most people get hung up on (the low calorie part) call it a cannibalism diet and/or a starvation diet. Shoot, when I first heard about this diet, I was so extremely close minded to hearing anything about it that I thought the same.

I can't remember what made me read about it, but I'm glad I did. A friend of mine mentioned that she was doing it, and I was very skeptical. I looked it up and it just went from there. I think I first read about MamaClok on youtube, and saw her progress, and just started googling it from there. I then stumbled upon the original protocol written by Dr. Simeons, a British endocrinologist, read what other doctors/clinics were saying, THEN I found out that my hubby's uncle and aunt were both doing the same diet, but through a doctor, and I felt better and was sold. Uncle B has been struggling with his weight for some time and doing this diet, with his doctor, he lost 59 lbs in 6 weeks! His wife, Aunt L, did just as well, averaging about a lb a day. People all around me are doing this diet, and seeing results AND are maintaining (there are peepz that have gained it all back an then some, but it's because they strayed from the protocol on phase 3 and let it get out of control), so I figured it was worth giving it a shot. If I felt bad, or dizzy, or hungry, I would stop. I never felt any of those things, so here I am.

The thing that got me with this diet was reading that it resets your metabolism. I have had a feeling, since right around the middle of last year that there might be something wrong with my metabolism. I worked my butt off in 2009 and it didn't make sense to me that I only lost 30 lbs. Don't get me wrong, that's great, but with all of the work I was putting in, and my weight (I'm obese) I should have lost more. My hubby said that he had never seen anyone work so hard, and lose so little. I have lost that in almost 2 months now and when I am not taking the HCG, I can eat 1500 calories and still lose weight. That's the way it's supposed to be (for my weight). That was HUGE, because it meant to me, that my metabolism had reset. Before this diet, I would eat 1500 calories, and nothing would happen at all.

I figured 23 days wasn't going to kill me, and if it would reset my metabolism, then it was worth it. The side effect of trying to reset my metabolism ended up losing almost 30 lbs. If it were cannibalism or a starvation diet, I would be in a hospital due to electrolyte imbalance/malnutrition (and so would everyone else that has done this for multiple rounds), I would be dizzy/nauseous everyday, my hair would be falling out, I would feel extremely hungry and weak, have no energy and I wouldn't be losing weight. Being in starvation mode makes your body hold on to what you do eat. You wouldn't be losing an average of 1lb a day. Yes, you'd lose weight eventually, but not right away. This diet doesn't eat away at your muscles. It eats away at your adipose fat cells. If it did, my body fat percentage wouldn't be decreasing weekly. I was dreading this post because I don't want to explain everything that I spent months researching and it kind of seems like I'm going in that direction. People also try to account the weight loss due to water weight, like we aren't drinking enough water, but you are supposed to drink like 90 ozs of water daily, so that's not the case.

Anyway I am doing this round for about 40 days, and I hope to be down into the high 150's-160's by the end of Phase 2. Then I will start round 3, which is eating enough food to support your new weight, without the HCG, and stay at that weight within +/- 2 lbs for the same amount of time that you did phase 2 for. If I am happy there, then I will stop. When I am done losing weight, I'm going to screw it all up and have a baby. I just don't want to be obese and have another one. The first time I got pregnant, no one knew I was pregnant because I was so big. This time, you will know. For sure.

One of the other reasons that I like this diet, is that I know what I will be eating everyday. The protocol is very clear in what you can eat and what you cant, and that makes the food part of my life very simple. I also have a different relationship with food. On this diet, food means nothing to me. I don't eat it becuase it makes me happy, and it doesn't represent anything in my life. That is awesome to me. Serving sizes also mean something now. I mean, they did before, but I weigh everything I eat, and at the end of the day, its just so rewarding. I see the benefits the next day which makes being motivated that much easier. Who wouldn't be motivated to lose weight, seeing the number on the scale drop every single day. Sweet!

So to honor what I said at the beginning of this post, here are my stats. I use an iPhone app called hCG app, and it tracks all of this for me.n All of these numbers are for my current round (my 2nd)...I started round 1 at 215.

Day 15 on Phase 2
wt: 189.6/-9.2 lbs (starting wt 198.8--round 2)
bust: 40.0/-2.5" (round 2 start: 42.5)
arm: 11.0/-1" (round 2 start: 12)
waist: 34.8/-4.8" (round 2 start: 39.5)
hips: 43.5/-3" (round 2 start: 46.5)
thigh 21.0/-2.5" (round 2 start: 23.5)

How can I argue with these results. If you have questions, please feel free to ask. I wont comment to anything negative. I know how crazy this diet seems, but 23 days didn't kill me, and 40+ more days wont either. I also plan to go to the doctor when I am done, so that I can prove that all is well.

I hope everyone is well. Sorry for the silence. I think about blogging everyday, but I just didn't know what to say because it has been so long. It's like one of those friends that you talk to every day for a long time, and then just stop, for whatever reason. The longer it goes by, the harder it is to say something, and then what do you say? lol.

I can do this. I am a star.

13 days??

2010-08-01T08:03:00.001-07:00

This last 2-3 weeks have been crazy. I have working a lot and started a new, pretty controversial diet, that I an seeing AWESOME results on.

I've lost close to 4% body fat, 14 lbs, 3.5" on my bust, 2" on my arm, 4.5" on my waist, 3" on my hips and 4" on my thigh. Did I mention this happened all in 13 days?

It's a very controversial diet, but it's very short term with a really long maintenance period, to instill healthy eating habits.

Gotta go (on a break @ work), but just wanted to share. I'll post more later. I'm off on Wednesday.

So excited!

I can do this, I am a star.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I still heart Gym

2010-07-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

Today I went to the gym...again. I can't believe how much I still heart Gym. The more I go, the more I heart Gym. Is that true love, or what?

Today I just did Cardio. I spent 35 or so mins on the Precor Elliptical, and it said I burned 340ish calories (I doubt that--it's probably much less). I got there kind of late in the scheme of things (noonish) so Kids Club was only open for 1 more hour, so I was limited with what I could do. On Fridays, they are only open from 9-1pm or 8-1pm...something like that so I got there late.

At least I got there, and was somewhat productive with my time. I spent about 15 minutes debating on whether or not to work on back or legs, and never really decided, so the idea just fizzled out (I had fun thinking about it though lol). Back. Would have definitely been back. I love back days.

Tomorrow I work, and the day before yesterday, or the day before that...I don't remember which it was (it was the one that I wasn't at work on lol) I did legs. I was there for about an hour doing 1/2 cardio 1/2 strength. Extension, curls, adduction, abduction and press. I wish I wasn't covered in all of this fat so that I could actually see them working. I miss those days. Someday. Someday soon hopefully...eer in the next 2 years (that's my ultimate goal--hopefully before, but for now, this is realistic).

Ok off to bed. Have to work in the am (I really don't like being out of the house before 5:30am. yuck).

Have a good weekend!

I can do this. I am a star.

Once Upon A Time (with tiny muscles)

2010-06-28T19:23:00.000-07:00

Man, I'm sore. Have I mentioned lately how much I have missed Gym and heart him? I'm sore, and my hubby is probably tired of hearing about it, but I love it! I also started bringing my notebook with me too, so that I could track everything again. Gym kicked my butt and I can't wait for it to happen again! I look forward to it :).

A long time ago I had learned that when you strength train, you should work antagonistic muscles, if you are training often, so that you don't cause too much drama too your muscles. So because I do everything people tell me to (j/k), that means I work chest/tricep one day, back/bicep one day, then legs, then shoulders, and then abs (I'm sure I don't need to do all of those separate days, but I used to go to the gym literally everyday, so that's how I did it back then). I try to give 72 hours in between each muscle group worked, so that I don't hurt myself. It all makes sense in my brain (doesn't say much lol) so I started doing it again, now, just as I did it once upon a time when I used to practically live with Gym. It worked for me then, so here's to hoping it will work again.

once upon a time, I used to be thin with tiny muscles :)

This last Saturday, was Chest/Tricep day. My favorite. I worked so hard, my arms are still sore. I made the mistake of training triceps first, so I wasn't able to get a great chest workout. My triceps were just way too fatigued. I learned my lesson, and switched things up on Sunday, during Back/Bicep day.

Saturday: 1hr 40 mins @ the gym

Start-Precor Elliptical 16 mins, resistance 1, cross ramp 10

- Machine Inclined Chest Press, 3 sets/15 reps, 30lbs (rpe 4-5)
- Chest Press (machine), 3 sets/15 reps, 35lbs (rpe 4-5)
- Tricep Overhead Extension (machine), 3/15, 20lbs (rpe 4-5)
- Seated Peck Deck (machine), 3/10, 20lbs, (rpe 6-7)
- Tricep Pull Down (Free Motion Machine) Supine grip, 3/15, 10lbs (rpe 4)
- Tricep Pull Down (Free Motion Machine) Prone grip, 3/15, 10lbs (rpe 4-5)
- Tricep Pull Down--with bar (machine), 3/10, 20lbs (rpe 4-5/5-6 in the end)

End- 16 mins, Stair Mill, level 5.

calories burned according to HRM: 457
------------------------------------

Sunday: Back/Bicep day, 1 hour

Start- Precor Elliptical 5 mins (ear phones kept falling out--got annoyed and stopped)

- Lat Pull Down (narrow grip), 3/15, 60lbs (RPE 5)
- Lat Pull Down (wide grip), 3/15, 60lbs (RPE 4-5)
- Deltoid Row (lower grip focusing on back), 3/12, 40lbs (rpe 4)
- Bicep Curl (machine), 3/10, 20lbs (rpe 5)
- Erector Spinae machine 3/15-12 (kind of pyramid training w/ weights) 50-80lbs (rpe 3, 3-4, 4-5)
- Arm Curl (overhead/machine) 3/10, 25lbs (rpe 5)
- Seated Bicep Curl (free weights) 10lbs (wrists really hurt doing these):
hammer curls, 10reps, rpe 4-5
alt supine, 20 reps, rpe 5
hammer curls 10 reps, rpe 5 (b/c of wrist)
- Bicep Curl, 25lb bar, 3/10, (rpe 4-5)

Calories burned according to HRM: 214

I didn't do a lot of cardio on Sunday, but whatever. I don't care. At least I'm getting to the gym. I figure if I put too many rules on it, that might be a bad thing, at least this early into my new fitness goals/journey. It is all probably more info than anyone would ever want to know, but that's what I did, and how my brain sees the gym, and maybe it will benefit someone one day. These numbers help me to determine what to do each time, and I guess it keeps the gym interesting when there is such great potential for it to not be interesting.

I would love to fit into the pants that I wore once upon a time (yes, I still have them), so I don't care how crazy I look/sound. lol.

Have I mentioned that the Monkey Boy loves gym too? When I don't feel like going, he urges me and says (in his little 3 year old voice), "You exercise at gym today? Let's go to my gym now." How awesome is my 3 year old support system? He doesn't even know how awesome he is for his mama ((heart swell)) (is that a God thing, or what?).

I work the next few days, but plan to hit the gym after work. We will see how that goes though. lol.

Hope y'all had a good weekend and have a great week!

If I can do this (being a fat girl) anyone can do this!

I can do this. I am a star!

I heart Gym.

2010-06-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how fast time has gone by. It's scary how fast it goes by if you don't wrangle it and take advantage.

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about blogging, but there just never seems to be a good time. My baby is getting big! I feel bad sitting here typing on the computer when he gives me his puppy dog eyes, and wants me to play with him instead. There are so many reasons why I haven't blogged, but they are all personal, and don't really matter to anyone but me.

I don't know what happened to doing the measurements, and posting them, but it obviously fell through. I have been exercising though, just not everyday.

My amazing hubby surprised me and bought me 2 year gym membership to 24 hour fitness, from Costco, and I love it. I have only been a few times, as it is a new thing, but I am so happy. I was burned out from exercising at home, and my son was miserable with me exercising there. It's just too hot to get out in the middle of the day to walk now, so I am grateful for this membership.

While at the gym today (leg day), I was surprised with how strong I am, with only exercising at home for the last couple of years or so. It made me realize that I was absolutely right in thinking that exercising at home, can be just as effective as going to the gym. It was my first "leg day" at the gym, and I was just tickled pink the entire time.

I was there for only 64 minutes, because the monkey boy had a doctors appointment afterward. I wore my HRM and according to it, burned 374 calories, doing:

-roughly 25-30 mins on Precor elliptical (hr 150s)
-3 sets, 8 reps, seated leg extension using 35lbs. (rpe 6-8)
-4 sets, 15 reps, seated leg curls using 40lbs (rpe 4-5)
-3 sets, 15 reps, leg press using 50#, 60# and 70# (rpe, 3-4, 4, 5-6)
-3 sets, 15 reps, seated leg abduction using 40# (rpe 4-5)
-3 sets, 15 reps, seated leg adduction using 50# (rpe 3-4)
-3 sets, 15 reps, seated calf press, 40lbs (rpe 3-4)

I haven't been using an exercise diary, like I used to, and I should start, because this (the aboe) is how my brain functions. RPE means ratings of perceived exertion (like a pain scale in the medical world), and it's what I use (and a lot of others) to know if I need to up my weights, sets and/or reps. I will probably up everything the next time (except for the leg extensions) I do legs, and I felt like I could be pushed a little more.

Man. I LOVE the gym. I missed it so much and am happy to be back there again. My plan is to go after work, since it is just across the street, and since I get off earlier at 6:30pm now.

Last week for Father's Day, we went hiking up at Mt. Charleston. It was a lot of fun, and I got a great workout. It was the first time that the Monkey Boy had been hiking, so it was challenging in some areas, but it was fun overall, and glad he got to go.

I haven't measured myself lately, but this morning when I stood on the scale, I weighed 205.2, which is a 4lb weight loss, since I last recorded on sparkpeople, in the beginning of this month. Yaay!

I'm sorry I haven't posted, I just have a lot on my plate (been working a lot and very recently found out that son needs surgery :( but I'm getting a second opinion). I have also been sick too. I will try to post more often, as maybe I could make this my virtual gym diary *shrugs*.

Hope everyone is well! I haven't forgotten about y'all or this blog! Just been shifting priorities around :).

((hugs))

I can do this. I am a star.

One baby step at a time...

2010-04-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

In the last week I have done some serious soul searching. I have gained a lot of weight since the beginning of the year and I am unhappy because of it. It forced me to sit down and just think. I am a firm believer that we are the only ones that can make us feel the way that we do, so if I'm unhappy, it's my fault. So now that I know that I am unhappy, and can point a finger, how am I going to fix it?

I just started over.

I let everything go. Everything that made me angry, all of the "what if's" (what if I had kept exercising 24/7? What would I look like now?) and all of the bad habits that speak louder than the good ones. They just aren't worth it, and sometimes we have to learn that the hard way. I did. Again. It sucks but I'm over it and I'm back.

On Friday I did my measurements *gasp!* and don't like what I see. I am into most of my fat clothes again, and my semi-fat clothes, the ones that I was so proud to wear again, are just semi-fat clothes again. The kind I can't really wear comfortably. I didn't take a picture, but I should (will have to take some pathetic begging and kissing up to the hubby). After a month (on 5/16) I will share my results with all of you, and continue to do so each month. It's about time that I started doing this again!

Anyway, after I took my measurements and weighed myself, I exercised. Everything that stands in my way on a daily basis (on my non working days) was there. The monkey boy woke up early--he is EXTREMELY opposed to my exercising as it gets in the way of his Fresh Beat Band time and I just wasn't feeling it. I feel fat, and when I feel fat, I don't want to exercise. Isn't that kind of ironic? I turned on my EA Sports Active on the Wii and set it to a hard workout, because, well lets face it, I needed a HARD workout. I got 13 minutes into it and quit. I was frustrated because I could do this easily last year. What the heck is my problem?? I totally let go of that. I told myself 13 minutes was better than nothing (and it is), and just tried to move on.

Then I had an epiphany. I cant expect to just start up where I left off. I am a firm believer of baby steps, and although I had taken them once before, I had to do them again, because I let myself stop. Another blessing of momentum. I miss momentum, but in the last 3 days I have started to gain it back. Yes, that means I have exercised everyday since Friday. Not a big deal, but it's a good start.

I also can't expect to just exercise for a few days, or really hard one day (like I tried on Friday) and get my results back. I got my results one day at a time, and unfortunately I am going to have to achieve them that way again. Remembering this, put my mind at ease. All I have to do is exercise daily. One time, once a day. Not all day, like I was when I was staying home, and didn't work. I don't have to do that, and it's unrealistic for me to think that I should have to. Baby steps, one step at a time.

Friday 4/16: 13 minutes EA Sports Active (Hard mode)
Sat 4/17: 21 minutes, EA Sports Active (Medium mode)
Sun 4/18: 26 minutes, EA Sports Active (Medium mode).

Three days in, and I feel better about exercising. I still feel fat, but I am doing what I am supposed to. Time heals all wounds.

Now I just need to focus on food again. Thank goodness for Sparkpeople, that's all I gotta say.

I officially started my new job 4 days ago (a lateral move w/in the hospital), and my schedule has changed to one hour earlier. The good news is that I get off one hour earlier, but the bad news is that I have to wake up, and be to work much earlier *cry* (exercising before work is not an option anymore). Exercising during lunch is not an option either, as I have 30 minutes for lunch and 1 (technically 2, but I never take the 2nd) 15 minute break, to eat breakfast/lunch/dinner during. Have you ever tried to eat a salad in less than 20 minutes? It's hard. I want to try to exercise after work, but I have 3 things against me. Mentally drained, hubby is home (For some reason I can't seriously exercise when he is around) and the Monkey Boy is home (he hates when I take up the living room to exercise). We'll see. I won't stress myself out w/ it yet, and will just take it one day at a time, one baby step at a time.

I hope you all are well. I have been lurking in the background still, and still get my daily dose of so many of you. I never in a million years thought that reading your blogs would be therapeutic for me. Who'da thunk it?

Have a great weekend, and I'll see you soon.

I can do this. I am a star!

Where has the time gone?

2010-04-13T07:18:00.000-07:00

My gosh, time has flown by. I guess it's been about two weeks since my last post, but it doesn't feel like it at all.

My new work schedule is kind of wonky. Instead of working in one lump and having like 4 days off in a row, now it's working 2 on 1 off 3 on 2 off, etc. I like working the monitors so it isn't a big deal. I just need to readjust EVERYTHING.

I must have started the 30 day challenge on the EA Active Sports two or three times now. I just started it over last week, and said to myself, "I will exercise when I get home from work at 6:45p because it won't be too late, and I wont be physically exhausted (b/c I'm not on the floor)." Well then I forgot and fell asleep on the couch lol. The next day (also a workday) I forgot until like 1230 in the morning (have you ever remembered something while you were sleeping that it woke you up?), and was so disappointed with myself that I wasn't able to get fully back to sleep and had those dreams where I felt like I was awake lying in bed, trying to fall to sleep, but was really sleeping (know what I'm taking about?).

Anyway, I'm just disappointed. I don't know why my mind has been so distracted away from exercise. It was the center of everything I did last year, and I miss that. My life is just so different now with work, and I want to make them both work. Two or 3 days ago I did my EA Sports Active and was SO sore the next day from the lunges and squats. Last night I worked on the floor (maybe for the last time?), and I counted that as exercise, like I have always done. Today...today I don't know what I'll do but I will keep myself posted here.

When did accountability lose it's touch for me? That's what kept me the most motivated. Maybe it's because I lost my momentum. I'll never get it back, until I do something about it...

Hope everyone is well, and is sticking to whatever it is you are trying to accomplish.

off to a good start...

2010-03-25T09:38:00.000-07:00

Today is my first day off this week and I'm off to a good start.

I got up, ate some yogurt and turned on The Biggest Loser Workout on the Wii. I started a 4 week program and am attempting to lose 13 lbs (I think that's what it set my goal for). If I can do that, then I will be where I was at the end of 2009, when I completed my 365 consecutive days of exercise.

My arms are wobbly--today was upper body day (upper body - light 24 minutes/65 calories burned).

then I did a cool down (light - 8 minutes/8 calories).

The last 3 days I worked, but only the first 2 were normal workdays. Monday I walked 15,943 steps (7.55 miles) during my workday, and Tuesday 13,300 steps (6.30 miles). Wednesday/yesterday, not so many...4,507 steps (2.13 miles). The reason for the lack of steps is a pretty good reason though. They are finally putting my heart rhythm reading skills to work! They are training me to be a Monitor Tech/Health Unit Secretary! Finally! I was super nervous, but my preceptor told the director that I am doing "freakin' awesome" and from what the director says, she doesn't say that, and she has trained a lot of people. What a blessing, and confidence booster!! My preceptor said that if I continue the next 4 days of training, like I did yesterday, she is going to push the director to hire me as the new, muchly needed, full time, day shift, Monitor Tech/HUC. Woo Hoo!!!!!! It's patient care, behind the scenes, with a little bit earlier schedule, but something that I LOVE doing :). I like being a CNA, but overtime is a turn off because I am so exhausted after my 3 day stretch working 12 hours each day. Overtime doing this is VERY doable. I wouldn't mind one bit.

The downside of this new job (in my eyes) is the lack of steps. Maybe it might be a good thing though, because since I started working, I haven't been able to get a grasp on the actual number of calories I have been burning (calories burned using METs, vs calories burned on my HRM--which is a HUGE difference) and I haven't had the energy to exercise on my day's off, like I had envisioned when I was a SAHM. Because I don't know how many calories I am exactly burning, I can't do the math correctly to know how much to eat, to lose weight. I feel like I haven't been eating enough, which is probably why I am so exhausted. Yesterday I was not so physically exhausted when I got home either. I felt great. We'll see, and I'll just pray on it. God answers prayers. Maybe this is a God thing, because after all, in order to do what I am training to do now, and might possibly be doing in the future, you have to have a minimum of 1 year of experience doing it already (which the director is very adamant about), because PCU is a critical care unit (a step down from ICU).

Anyway, that's what I have been up to. I plan to be back tomorrow. I have been lurking the blog circuit and reading your blogs, but I've just been silent.

See you tomorrow!

I can do this. I am a star.

I feel itchy, oh so itchy...

2010-03-17T07:46:00.001-07:00

The past 2....now 3 days have been interesting. The last 12 hours have been the most interesting.

I went into work as scheduled on Monday and was sent home mid day. I was called into the directors office at lunch and was given some good news (remember that monitor tech class I took in November to learn how to read ECG strips, but then they didn't train me because it wasn't in the budget?). I was avoiding the director, as much as I love her, because I had been told all day that I would probably get sent home if she heard me (I lost my voice), and so when she called me in, I assumed that was what it was for. She said that they were going to train me, and I exclaimed in my raspy half-voice, "I am so excited! Thank you!"

Immediately she responded with "What's wrong with your voice?" I thought, "awe crap." lol. So she sent me home and said we would discuss the details on Tuesday when I got back to work, if I was feeling better.

By Monday night, I felt a whole lot worse and called in sick for Tuesday. I decided that if I didn't feel better Tuesday mid-day, that I would make a doctors appointment, and I did.

I went to the doctor and he prescribed an antibiotic, Azithromycin, and some cough medicine. He said take 2 of the antibiotic the first day, and then take one for the remaining 4 days. Less than an hour after I took them, I noticed some hives developing on my stomach. I tried to eat dinner but had no appetite (me??? no appetite?? something is definitely wrong lol). An hour later, they were all over my stomach and my bottom. The pharmacy said to stop taking the antibiotic (ya think?) and start taking benedryl so I did, but they kept getting worse. And worse. And worse. I called in work for today as well (Wed) so that I could get things fixed at the doctors office. I went to sleep and woke up covered in hives--head to toe (face, palms, arms, neck, ears, legs, back and all--even armpits!) and they aren't slowing down. How nervous would the patients be to see me if I had decided to go to work today. lol.

Anyway I called the doctors office this morning, and the answering service put me through to his cell phone. He wasn't any help. He said to take benedryl--50mg every 6 hours, which I am doing already. He hasn't seem them, but isn't too concerned with my "rash." lol.

Anyway, back to square one. Hopefully I can go see him, and he will fix the antibiotics and give me a steroid for the hives. This isn't the first time that I have had hives, and I've learned in the past that the only way they go away, for me, is with a steroid. I will play his game though. ;)

Still no exercise, and I am still sick and oh so itchy.

There are so many worse things to have out there, than hives, so I can smile. Definitely not the end of the world, and I am already laughing about it. It makes my hubby nervous though. (that makes me laugh too).

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

I can do this (although I'm not quite sure what I'm doing). I am a star.

Excuses, excuses and more excuses

2010-03-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

So it's been like a month since my last post, and I have gotten so far behind in updating here, that I don't know where to start.

I have been exercising at least 4-5 times a week, no less, sometimes more. I am averaging 12k-13k steps at work, and I have been sick twice in the last 3 weeks (son got a cold, then me, then son again, then hubby and now me again). I'm sick right now. I even look sick, which isn't very nice to hear, when you spent over an hour putting on war paint, and primping. lol. It's kinda funny at the same time though. It's not a head cold so I am laying off of the exercise till it goes away.

I did most of the 30 day challenge for February on the Wii EA Sports Active, but missed a day (a work day) and it threw me off on the "game" and so I started it over again in March, but missed 2 days because of being sick/work schedule. My son stopped taking naps during the day and so my "me time" is gone as a result. Lots of excuses I know. Now that it's written and I can visualize my wall, I think I can start to chop away at it. Maybe I need to use a calendar and schedule things in. Regardless, I need to do something because I am gaining weight again. I need to start w/ the measurements and do it all again like I did during my 365 days of exercise in 2009. I can do this. I know that I can.

I also started a bible study with my MIL on Wednesday nights, which I won't be able to do the next 2 Wednesdays because I am working. I need to make my relationship w/ God a priority again and I think that just in general I just bit off more than I can chew for the moment. Exercise is still very important though.

I know that I am not eating enough, but it's so hard to eat when you're busy, and food is the last thing on your mind. AND my oven doesn't work. It is a broiler. I burn anything and everything I put in it, and it makes the thought of food annoying for me, becuase the oven heats at over 550F when set at 300F (my thermometer wont register anything over 550 and the numbers weren't slowing down before it got to "high"). More excuses. I think I am cranky too, so I am venting... sorry.

Anyway I need to go to bed. I feel pretty crappy. I thought I would just pop in to say "hi" while my water is heating up for my theraflu.

I promise to pop in again soon.

Thanks for sticking with me! You guys are great.

I can do this. (I did once before!) I am star.

Shame, embarrassment and addiction

2010-02-14T19:18:00.001-08:00

It's been a week since my last post but I haven't given up or stopped my 30 day challenge. In fact I even added a new exercise to my regimen that I am a little ashamed of (have I mentioned it? It's been so long I can't remember).

Here has been my week so far:

Sunday (day 7):
Work, 12,038 steps, 5 minutes of EA Sports Active before work
Monday (day 8):
work, 13,980 steps, 12 minutes of EA Sports Active before work
Tuesday (day 9):
22 minutes of EA Sports Active, 85 minutes of a new shameful, embarrassing addiction (521 calories burned total)
Wednesday (day 10):
work, 13,068 steps, 11 minutes of EA Sports Active before work
Thursday (day 11):
43 minutes with my shameful addiction after discovering more than one way to do it (246 calories burned)
Friday (day 12):
48 minutes (2 parter) EA Sports Active and walking for an 1.25 hours (a slow 3.22 miles)
Saturday (day 13):
24 minutes EA Sports Active, walking for 60 minutes (a slow 2.3 miles)
Sunday/today (day 14):
20 minutes with my shameful embarrassing addiction (so much fun) and walking 2 miles in 45 minutes.

Have you ever done something you swore that you would never do? Something that you see other people doing and you think to yourself "what a douche" when you see them doing it, because you are just too good to lower yourself to that kind of level? I am there and I am ashamed. It's embarrassing. I have to do it when no one is around. Not even my 3 year old son because even he mocks and laughs at. I was embarrassed to walk to the check stand, because I knew the checker would think, "well he isn't doing it" of my husband, "he isn't doing it--he's too young," of my son, and laugh to think I was the one doing it. The dainty young man at the counter in fact "o.m.g. hearts" it. Of course.

I'm just kidding, not about the checker though. Or my son laughing at me. He laughs hysterically with every single step that I take, like it's a joke that never gets old. It's not at all as dramatic as I drew it out to be though. It's sweet and beautiful and I even joined a group on Sparkpeople to support my new love for it. Something I never in a million years thought that I would jump on the bandwagon for.

Dance Dance Revolution.

Some sparky friends mentioned it last week or the week before, and I was curious to find out that it was a good workout. I honestly can't remember if I mentioned it here before, but it's my new addiction. We got it, I played it, and I have the songs stuck in my head 24/7. I want to dance like the characters on the screen, but instead I'm left with hip swinging, hard punching (cause they don't register if they aren't hard for me), hula hooping arrows that flash on my screen in "workout mode", and videos to songs that I love, that I can never watch, because I am too busy paying attention to the arrows because I want to get a good grade (I am a C average student for the first time in my life--I've only gotten 2 B's one on a Coldplay song and the other on a Black Eyed Pea's song--the rest C's and a few D's! doh!).

I just discovered that the songs have a bpm rating, like 138 beats per song, or 155 beats per song (a Kiss song) that makes me feel spazzy like I could be strung out on crack or something. The faster the beats, the faster the arrows scroll through and the better your coordination must be. Great workout. Still embarrassing to do. I am addicted.

I also still really love my EA Sports Active. My muscles are very sore but I feel MUCH stronger and it's been only like a week since I started. Also a great workout. I feel so blessed to have found motivation again, even though it's something unrelated to exercise. EA Sports Active has trophies, like Sparkpeople. Friends, for me it's about the trophies. One of my recent trophies is running 25 laps on the virtual track. I jog around my living room literally doing it. I sweat a lot, but I do it. I'm excited to do it. I hope I never lose this excitement.

Anyway I hope you all are having a wonderful Hallmark holiday! I had today off so I am happy. I work for the next 3 days in a row though, and I guess I'm happy about that too. The work is hard, but at least I have a job to go to.

Have a great night! See you soon!

I can do this. I am a star.

falls over on the floor

2010-02-06T20:31:00.001-08:00

I can't believe that I almost forgot to blog for today. I have been on the computer on and off, and for some reason had the feeling like I had already posted for the day. lol.

Anyway today was a day off from work, and I put on EA Sports Active again. Day 6. This month is going by pretty quickly (it's only day 6, but before I know it, it will be day 10). I said it yesterday, but I REALLY love this game. I feel like it was totally worth the money. I woke up this morning and was sore, so it did it's job yesterday. I was pretty sore but remembered from last year (365 days of exercise) that when I am sore, it feels better to follow up with exercise, because I end up not feeling so sore--a double negative if you will? lol. It worked.

Today, was a little different than yesterday, which I loved and hated all at the same time. We did a lot of lunges. So many lunges (*falls over on the floor*)! Side lunges with a toe touch, raised knee reverse lunges, alternating forward lunges---so many lunges. We did a lot of running and knee ups and butt kicks (I forget what they call them) also. It was a GREAT workout! We also did some arm, shoulder and core stuff.

The thing that I like about it is that it is like a trainer is with you. I can't cheat! It makes you hold the lunges, curl, or whatever you do the way a trainer would and it wont move on until you do. It tells you if you are running too slow, or not slow enough (on the slow parts, of course). Totally worth the money. This is by far, my new favorite toy. I thought I loved the Wii Fit, and I do, but this is going to get me where I want to be.

Yesterday a few of you Sparkies mentioned Dance Dance Revolution, and how much of a great workout it was as well. I would have never thought it, and have never even done it in an arcade, but my hubby bought it for me, for the Wii. I feel so lucky that my hubby will buy me these things, because he knows I will use them (and lucky that it's in our budget this month). Anything exercise related, he doesn't even question--he just gets it, if it's in our budget :). Anything else (household gadgets) he teases me about and doesn't get them. I guess I feel blessed in this way, because I have proved myself to him, and he takes me seriously with it. How often do we buy things, say we will use them, and never use them? Two years ago, that was me. I am happy to say that I have changed! Yaay! Anyway, I haven't tried it yet, but I will. I am going to throw that in if/when I get bored this month.

Anyway, tomorrow is a workday. I know I will be sore in the morning, so my plan is to wake up early and get some exercise in, just so that I won't be sore at work. That's the worst feeling in the world. Being sore, and being forced to be on your feet, using your legs for 12 hours. I'm pretty certain that I won't be sore. I just hope that I wake up early enough and don't punk out!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Thanks for reading :).

PS. I turned the anonymous comments off. The junk ads/comments are becoming a daily thing and it's starting to annoy me. Sorry to those of you that comment anonymously!

I can do this. I am a star.

Wii's Your Shape and EA Sports Active

2010-02-05T12:03:00.001-08:00

Today I was proud of myself. I got up early and exercised...for almost an hour. I started off with Your Shape, and the more I play it, the more I don't like it. Maybe I just don't know how to use it properly.

We have different colored couches now (navy instead of tan) so I don't match with them anymore which makes it easier. It also brightened up the room, which doesn't make any sense to me lol. I find a lot with "Your Shape" that I will be doing the exact same thing that she is, and that it even looks the same on the screen, yet it's telling me to follow her. It's frustrating, and frustrated me to the point of turning it off 30 minutes into my scheduled 45 minutes. I got a good workout with it though. I am thinking about returning it, but I don't have the box it came in anymore. Oh well. Maybe when I am thinner and not just a huge glob on the screen, it will be better. There aren't many features on it either--like I want to set a goal, and it won't let me. Anyone know how to do that? I did about 30 minutes--that's the other thing I don't like...I can't see how much I did for the day, only what I programed it for, and when I look at my "stats" it combines all of the minutes/calories/days together, so it gives me a huge number. I want to know what I did today, like Wii Fit tells us on our minute piggy bank. I did about 30 minutes and burned I think 330 calories (based on memory of the 1 time screen screen). I hate not having exact numbers but oh well... (if I wasn't lazy I could just subtract what my numbers for the day before yesterday, but I don't feel like putting the disk back in to see what my totals are lol).

After turning it off, I decided I wasn't quite satisfied with my workout so I put in Wii's EA Sports Active. I haven't done it yet, and had been looking forward to it. I REALLY enjoy it. It's fun and a GREAT workout. It's a Bob Green thing (the Opera/Best Life guy), so it was nice to see a familiar face in the "video" segment. EA Sports is like Wii Fit in that it's fun, and it keeps my attention (I have toddler brain with exercise games now) and I can adjust the kind of workout I want to have. It only take a few minutes before I am bored with it and want to move on lol. Wii Fit can be iffy with the intensity of your workout--you can make it a game if you want, or a workout-workout, and EA Sports is a workout. I enjoyed that. I had the option for Intense (I think), Medium, or Easy, and I chose a Medium workout today. I did 27 minutes and burned 175 calories.

I did squats, rows (a few kinds), bicep curls, side lunges, running, walking, in line skating and some other things I can't think of atm. It was a good workout, and my legs are sore and my arms are on the verge (it comes with a resistance band!).

It has this cool journal part and gives you daily things to check off on and I like that. It feels like I am getting an overall experience and not just exercise. I am also learning stuff.

Yesterday I went into work. They were short and I can use the overtime. Yaay for overtime!

I walked 15,435 steps.

It's been a good month so far for exercise. I am looking forward to the rest of the month :). I should have done measurements or something. Oh well. At least I have my weight. :)

Have a good one! See you tomorrow!

I can do this. I am a star.

Over Stuffed Sausages... yummm (evil laugh)

2010-02-03T14:44:00.001-08:00

So, today is day 3 of my 30 day challenge. You didn't think I forgot did ya? I have been working for the past few days, and am still exhausted (not to mention my feet are killing me!) from moving and now from work also. I thought it would, but it didn't stop me :).

Monday and Tuesday I worked but this is what I have done so far:

((Sunday (Jan 31): 14,924 steps))
Monday (Feb 1, day 1): 11,920 steps
Tuesday (Feb 2, day 2): 15,214 steps
Wednesday (Feb 3, day 3): 45 minutes of Cardio on Your Shape (1012 calories burned!)

For my birthday my hubby bought me some exercise games for the Wii and I broke out the "Your Shape" for the first time today. I have mixed feelings on it.

It does a little like pre-test to see where your exercise level is, and it grades you in letters, like in school. My pre-test thingy scored with an A+. I didn't realize it at the time, and I may be wrong, but this score made the game think that I am really fit and can jump around like a skinny girl. Man, it was hard but I stuck through the entire thing. I think it put me into a fitness level that I am not at yet.

This game was a huge eye opener also. I am HUGE. I think because I exercise regularly again, and have been consecutively for over a year now (I can't believe that I can say that!), that my idea of what I look like is more of how I feel, and my energy, than what I really look like. It was depressing to see me up there on my TV screen. All I could see was my fat blubbery stomach bouncing out of my shirt during the jumping portions--which was like all of it. My legs look like sausages overstuffed with cottage cheese. If that isn't motivation enough to get moving, I don't know what is.

The other thing I didn't like about it is that we don't have enough lighting (even lighting) in our living room (with all the shades up, natural sunlight and all of the lights on), and the pale couch/wall match with my pale skin color lol. Seriously. It says to (in my own words) clash with your background. I blend in. It's kind of funny but frustrating at the same time. I wore different colored pants and shirt, but my arms match our pale couches lol (my in laws are giving us their couches tonight on a totally unrelated/related thought--navy leather. sweet!).

Anyway I thought today was "arm" day, but I found out the hard way that it was cardio day instead. lol. I kept wondering when it was going to get to the strength training part. Thirty-five minutes into it, we did donkey kicks and side kicks and that was about it.

I am not scheduled to come into work tomorrow, but they called and asked me if I would, so if my FiL can watch the Monkey Boy, I will. Yaay for overtime. I hope I am not too sore but I am sure I will manage.

Hope everything is well with everyone.

I keep getting these spam comments so I am thinking about turning off the anonymous comment option, if I can figure it out.

Take care and see you either tomorrow or the day after.

I can do this. I am a star.

Daaa! (like ta-da but w/out the Ta(ta's) lol)

2010-01-30T06:33:00.001-08:00

Sorry for the extended silence! For the last week or 2 we have been very busy. So much has been going on. The Monkey Boy started potty training--fully and on his own, and we found a place to move to and have been moving things over for the past week (great exercise btw!). Yesterday I made my final trip and we are now completely moved in--one day ahead of schedule. The monkey boy even used his new pee-pee-in-the-potty skills in the new place!

Finishing with the move 1 day early means that we can go to a car show today (lots of great walking)! Once upon a time, I used to be into cars. I used to go to car shows and was in a car crew. Since getting married, having a baby-doll and focusing on a nursing career, all of that went on the back burner. My hubby is into cars, so it was inevitable that I find that interest again. I bought a new 2008 Scion XB about 2 months ago with drop springs, fog lights, upgraded radio and few other little things. I put new rims on it (love them!), and did a few little cosmetic things to it with vinyl (so fun!). I still need a spoiler and want new seats, but first I am going to change my headlights look angry (with halos) and am contemplating making them pink, as well as the console lighting and maybe the door sills if I can find them. I also need to get a.....you know, I'm sure none of you care, so I will just leave you with a picture. It's not the greatest, but that's it. lol.

Daa! like Ta-da but w/out the ta(ta's)
(as the Monkey Boy would say)

Anyway, I've been keeping up with my exercise, and have been logging it onto sparkpeople. For the past week and 1/2, I have been walking more than 10K steps, so that is awesome (on my day's off I usually get 1/2 that)! Yesterday I had over 15K steps down.

Last weekend I did some side lunges with the Wii Fit and killed my legs. I couldn't stand or walk for I was so extremely sore, it was ridiculous. I am not sore anymore, but I feel drawn to do them again lol. After we get the Wii all set up, I want to get back to my normal Wii routine.

The fun part about where we live is that the treadmill fits in the living room comfortably. I am very excited about this. I just hope that I follow through and use it. I have realized lately--well, since after 2009 (completing the 365+ days of exercise), that nothing stimulates my motivation the way I was last year. It's like my brain said "you did it, you proved you can do it, so...eh, whatever." I feel bored a lot, and so I need to reevaluate myself, my new found brain and goals and start-a-tweaking again.

Long term goals do nothing for me anymore. Last year they did. I think I need to chop them down, in order to follow through w/ them now. I think that stinks, but I am glad that I have the insight to know this about myself. If you know something that stands in the way of your goals, find a way to step around it. No one knows you better than you do, so you just have to find what works for you.

For me, I think doing 1 month goals, as a long term goal, is good (I hope lol). The 1st of the month is a good place to start, so there you have it. I am going to go for 30 days of exercise. Seems to pale in comparison to 365+ days that I just did, but it's a start. It's a good start to a great ending.

Have to go take a shower and wash my car.

Have a great weekend! Now that I have the internet up and running again, I will be blogging more often. Especially with my new 30 day goal.

I can do this. I was a star!

God is with us each and every step of the way...

2010-01-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! I hope you didn't think I would be gone for too long. Although I won't be blogging as constantly as I was before (daily) I still plan to check on and share my experiences with diet/exercise and life as a full time working mom/wifey.

Things are not good for us right now, but they could be worse. Totally unrelated to all of the financial problems, we have to move and we have 15 days to do so (such bad timing). Life has been stressful, but I still have a smile on my face, because I know that God is with us each and every step of the way. Money doesn't dictate whether I have a smile on my face, and it shouldn't (maybe at first it's scary but after He calms my heart, I see it is nothing). It's just paper and has no power in His eyes, so why should I give it so much power in mine? I am being completely public about it because I am not ashamed. I didn't do anything wrong. We don't live beyond our means. The state we live in sucks and my hubby's past mistakes haunt us both here (whether he lived beyond his means once upon a time before we got married, doesn't really matter anymore). The judgment against him affects me because I married him. For better or for worse, ya know? The fun part is that this is all new, and it can only get better! Who knows what may be at the end of this dull colored rainbow?

Anyway my "break" (I say that like Ross does on Friends--"we were on a break!) didn't last long. I think instead of calling it a break, I just needed to slow down for a few days and get my priorities together. Family is a priority. I just couldn't stay away from my cabana boy aka exercise for too long, no matter how hard I tried. I spent all year, last year committing to it and fitting it into my life, so it's too hard to just let go of it that easily.

I thought of exercise constantly (the "what to do" not the "ugh, I have to do") but it felt good to not have to do it for 2 days. Anyway this is what I have been up to:

Friday and Saturday were like the complete rest days--I didn't do much, typical everyday stuff including some heavy cleaning and I wore my pedometer out of curiosity on Saturday.

Saturday: 5656 steps
Sunday: 16,000 steps exactly! (work)
Monday: 15,485 steps (work)
Tuesday: 15,395 steps (work)
Wednesday: 32 Wii Fit minutes
Thursday: 33 minutes of just Wii Boxing (love it!)

Today: 13 minutes of just Wii Boxing and some of Turbo Jam Cardio Party (25 minutes)

I will be doing a lot of walking looking at apartments and such again today, so I'll update my pedometer reading (3865 steps--not as much as I thought it would be).

I think when things slow down after moving and the lawyers, I am going to start doing the photo/measurements, because it was a good source of measurement, from where I have been, to where I am going. It is a pain in the butt to do, but TOTALLY motivating and rewarding!

Oh! I almost forgot. Totally caved on the sugar thing, but if you know me, it was inevitable. I think it's something I really need to take baby steps with, to make sure it sticks, the way I did it with exercise. A big problem w/ it is, if I say I can't have it, I want it even more and seek it out. If it's allowed, I don't care so much lol (I guess it's that 3 year old in me). I have gone 15 days w/out soda of any kind and drink a ton of water again. I forgot how great that feels.

My son's 3rd birthday is on Sunday! I can't believe how big he is getting. My birthday is the Saturday after that. Oye.

Hope you all are well! Thank you for all of your wonderful comments and well wishes. You guys are awesome!

I can do this. I am a star.

It's time for a break

2010-01-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

I need a break. I think that I bit off more than I can chew by trying to do 2 years of exercise in a row, and I think it's just too much. I talked to my family and they all agree. I just have so much going on, and instead of relieving stress, it's become a stressor. Over the past year I have learned what it takes to make a positive lifestyle change, and how to have the dedication and determination to do it.

This "break" doesn't mean that everything will stop. It means that I need to give myself the chance to do it on my own, and not because I have to (that's the difference in my mind with this resolution). So yesterday, I took a much deserved break. I didn't exercise. I exercised for 365 days in a row and then some. I proved to myself that I can do it, so I will never say to myself again, that I can't. It hung over my head like I was forgetting to do something all day, but at the end of the day, it felt good to let go.

Yesterday I still watched what I ate, and I wouldn't really call it, "watching" because it's just what I do now. I am so used to knowing to look for the numbers and that's a good thing. It's apart of my lifestyle change, and I don't find myself craving calorie filled junk anymore, like I used to. Knowing those numbers makes it hard to enjoy the food. I also want to focus more time on the Sparkpeople plan. It teaches some great stuff for lifestyle change, and I just want to do the whole thing over again, w/out any added disruptions. I think I had too much on my plate to fully absorb the great info (I learned a lot, but I can learn SO MUCH more).

I also still plan to keep up the no sugar/no soda thing. It's so hard with the no sugar, but easy when it's not around (it's those "around" times that are a pest!), and I will still continue to talk about that, because so many people struggle with it too, but the no soda thing I think I have in the bag. It's more like a soda/strange chemicals ban.

Anyway I didn't weigh myself or do my measurements, like I said. Sorry. I spent a lot of the day trying to recover financial damages (so stressful). In 2009 I started out at 215lbs and at my lowest I got to 183. I have since gained 10lbs but I'm not upset because it will eventually be lost too. I now weigh about 193lbs. Having this goal made me obsess over my weight more so than usual, I think, because it was measurable by that number. I still plan to lose more weight this year than last, but I won't and can't obsess over it because I have other priorities that are more important.

Work and exercise is hard. All of you working peepz out there know this. I was spoiled at the beginning of my resolution because I was a stay at home mom. I had A LOT of time on my hands, more so than now (even on my day's off because I'm playing catch up). Once I started working, the exercise thing got hard, and I stopped enjoying it. It became a chore.

Anyway, I still struggle and am still going to blog when I can, but I think I need a rest from blogging daily, and trying to catch up on the days that I didn't blog. It's just too much.

I hope you all are well! Thank you again for all of your support!

I can do this. I am a star.

A twofer

2010-01-07T13:35:00.001-08:00

Well, yesterday stunk. It started off a good day--got my pray on, work on and exercise on (14,821 steps). I had accomplished almost 6 hours of work before 10:30am--it was a great start to a day...

then I got a series of strange text messages from my hubby. Strange and almost frantic. I could feel his panic in his words.

"I am really freaked out, please call me."

"We are broke, no money is in our account as of now."

What the heck is going on? I didn't get these texts until almost 2 hours after he had sent them (I am one of those rare people that leaves my cell phone in my purse at work). What happened?

So many things ran through my mind as the phone rang while I was trying to call him back. Was it my car? Insurance? Did the rent check go through? Something we forgot? Zero? How on earth do we have zero (we are not bad with our budgeting)?

It turns out that we don't have zero. We have less than zero.

It turns out that a past debt of my husband--almost 10 years old before we got married came back to haunt him...us. There is a legal hold on the money in our bank account and we will probably never see it again. It's really too much to post here, but I will just say that I have had to get a lawyer which we have an appointment with after my hubby gets off of work, to get this taken care of. The company bugging him, got to me because in the state of Nevada, his debt is mine, and mine is his (although I have none). Hopefully we can get this taken care of.

I am so annoyed at this, but feel blessed at the same thing. Things could be so much worse! We got most of our bills paid for for the month, so we just have to play catch up for a little while and pay the bank back. At least we have jobs! There are so MANY plus sides that for me it's hard to be smoking angry. My hubby might have to file for bankruptcy (and I might have to also, according to a bankruptcy lawyer I spoke with yesterday) but that would be a good thing, because then nothing he did in the past can haunt him or again. We don't own a house so they can't take that. The fact that we were never given notice of this happening is also a plus on our side. They didn't send us a letter or anything. I just pray that something can be done. Thank God for family.

6/371

(now for today)

All this being said, my measurements are the last thing on my mind. I hate to say it, but so is exercise. I'm sure it shows. I haven't been shoving food into my mouth but the last 2 days have been hard because we have to do w/ what is in the house, and that isn't a whole lotta healthiness (at least I haven't had any sugar or soda, which is good because I could REALLY do w/ a candy bar or ice cream right now). I have spent the entire day so far on the phone trying to fix things. The measurements are going to have to wait until Saturday or until my hubby is in the mood to help me with them.

I walked away from this blog for a little while to help the Monkey Boy with some stuff and I thought that what I need to do is make a list. An exercise to-do list, of doable things, like quickfire challenges (a few sets equaling 100 throughout the day), so that I at least get exercise in for today. I wont lie, I'm not in the mood for cardio or even the Wii Fit. When I am done, I will update and put "(done)" next to it. Here it is:

Seated Knee Lifts with Chair

Pushups

Jumping Jacks

Standing Back Extension with an Object

I guess this is all for now. Don't want to over due it.

Sorry for venting, for flaking on my daily affirmation to blog each day. Sometimes it's just not possible. It doesn't mean that I am throwing in the towel though :).

I can do this. I am a star.

7/372

I am selfish...

2010-01-05T16:02:00.000-08:00

Today was my day off (have to work again tomorrow) and I got up early to exercise. As soon as I go on the Wii Fit balance board, the Monkey Boy woke up. I had the volume turned all the way down, so he definitely didn't hear it. He just has that, "mommy-selfish-dar," he knows when I am being selfish.

It's so hard to be in "selfish mode" with a toddler around. Yes, exercising is selfish. It totally should be because it's about you and no one else. You may choose to exercise to look pleasing--we don't see ourselves the way others do--literally...we aren't a third person (duh). We may (should) choose to exercise for our health, so that we may be around for generations to come. Any reason, we have to do it ourselves, no one else can do it for us (awe man!).

So because I know now that it's getting hard for me to exercise when The Boy is awake, I am going to tweak my goal. You have to tweak your goals to be successful at them, if you see that no doing so will compromise your success. I still plan to blog/exercise early everyday, but I think putting a 2pm limit on it, is hard. Some days my son doesn't even take a nap until 4pm. I also know that exercising when my hubby is here is A LOT harder, so I think I am going to make his ETA my new goal mark. He usually gets home around 5:30pm. I know if I haven't exercised before he gets home, I resort to squats and/or push ups before bed, when he is already in bed. I think this tweak to my goal is more realistic and will help me to stay successful with the new changes I am trying to incorporate for 2010.

My son took a small nap and I was able to get 32 Wii minutes in on the Wii Fit. I did the skateboarding one and the obstacle course, both, over and over again. I also did an hour of heavy cleaing.

Staying away from sugar is SO MUCH easier at home than it is at work. Home is a controlled environment and I just don't have it here. At work, everyone has it around so it's tough. Today I haven't thought about wanting it at all, so that is good progress. Cutting out the soda has helped me to re-own an old goal of drinking a lot of water a day.

As the fresh beat band sings...it was a great day, the very best day, and nothing could be better.

Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

5/370

At least we didn't crash...

2010-01-04T22:05:00.000-08:00

Today was so much busier at work than yesterday. We had 5 discharges almost back and then 3 admits almost immediately after. The day went by quickly, which was a blessing both because I was able to finish everything on time and because my body is just so darn tired.

I got home and checked my pedometer to find 4 steps; I left it sitting on my bed. Lovely :). I'm just gonna call it the same as yesterday although I know I walked a heck of a lot more today. All good. I hope I don't forget it again on Wednesday. It makes me so mad when I forget it!

I had a common theme today and it was kinda funny to me--driving at work. Everyone that I transferred in a wheelchair today mentioned my "driving." I guess being a fast walker w/ a wheelchair isn't as fun as I thought it would be? lol. One guy even asked me if I had gotten my license back back from my DUI cause I drive crazy. lol. It's not that bad. (totally joking as I say this next part) You know old people. Everything slows w.a.y. down for them, so they ALL over exaggerated. My response to all of them were pretty much, "at least we didn't crash into anything, right?"

I have tomorrow off, but I have to go back again on Wednesday.

I did good with the sugar and soda although I had HUGE temptation w/ the sugar at work. It was in my face all day and I even went over and started at it for a while. I picked it up and read the ingredients and put it down (first one was "sugar"). A co-worker even teased me for doing that. I'm just glad I was able to push passed it. I really thought for a second I was going to cave. That's all it would have lasted too--a second of fruity-chocolately goodness and a year of guilt.

I am so tired. I fell asleep twice during Heroes, so thank goodness for the DVR.

Off to bed. See you in the morning, hopefully bright and early!

DLTBBB!

I can do this. I am a star.

Short 'n sweet...

2010-01-03T21:12:00.000-08:00

Today was a long day and I have to do it all over again tomorrow.

I worked today and am about to jump in the sack. I am exhausted.

Gonna make it short 'n sweet...I walked 14,679 steps (6.95 miles) and did my work thing.

I did well with no sugar/soda today, but there wasn't really any temptation at work. Yaay.

Ok see ya'll tomorrow after work! Take care!

I can do this. I am a star.

So far so good...

2010-01-02T15:31:00.000-08:00

I am really making an effort to blog/exercise early. It's not before 2pm, but we have been pretty busy all day. At least I'm blogging at 3:30pm. When I said "before 2pm" on my day off, I know it's something I am going to have to strive for, rather than a "no sugar or soda" or "exercise everyday" type thing. The fact that I am here now, is progress lol.

I just did 30 Wii Fit minutes. My plan was to do more but the hubby is barking at me because we have more errands to run. I will get back on and finish what I started when we get home from the store and my mother's house. I also want to get on the treadmill.

So far so good on the no sugar/soda thing. Soda really isn't a problem for me, so it's kind of a freebie (?). It doesn't bother me like sugar, but it's a good thing to cut out nonetheless. We even went out for breakfast and my first reaction was to order "the same" as my hubby (diet soda) but I remembered and ordered an iced tea instead. Not my fav, but I used some Splenda and a lemon and it was tolerable (lol). I also had whole grain whole wheat pancakes w/ sugar free syrup, turkey bacon and egg whites.

My plan is to lose more weight this year, than I did last, so I am motivated.

I'll update later with what else I do.

Have a great Saturday! Make it count and don't give up on your goals! Just adjust them to make them "doable" and build from there :).

I can do this. I am a star.

2/367

Day one...MUCH easier said than done

2010-01-01T20:37:00.001-08:00

Today was a workday and I walked 14275 steps (6.76 miles). About an hour before my shift ended, they asked me to go be a "sitter" with a patient from the ED, who was a major fall risk. Sitting w/ a patient is nice and all because I get a chance to get off of my feet, but it's so boring mainly because you are watching a sleeping patient (sounds creepy, huh?). I took advantage of this time and quickfired some standing side extensions-100 total broken down into 2 groups of 50 AND some seated leg extensions (also 2 sets of 50). TOTALLY proud of myself. Exercisin' at work.

In regards to my new resolution, to cut out sugar--I failed miserably today. It was Day 1, and MUCH easier said than done. Sugar really is a problem for me. I hate to admit that (I feel so stupid!) but it's true. I wasn't even 10 hours into the new year and blew it. My excuse? I forgot. lol. Seriously! Sugar does that to me. It's like beer goggles but with sugar. We had a pot luck at work for the new year and so everyone brought something. I walked into the break room around 10 am this morning, and as I walked in, the room paled, and this bowl in the middle of the table got extremely bright, kind of like heavenly angels were all sitting in that bowl. FUDGE. My immediate response was to eat a piece, which I did. It was sickly sweet (not the kind of sugar I like) and smacked me back into reality. Then I remembered the resolution, felt bad and called my hubby. He laughed. He knows.

I guess that means 364 days of no sugar? It's really going to be a struggle for me. I really pray that God gives me the strength. It's going to be hard with work--there is ALWAYS something sweet there. That's so hard for me. I really thought that with completing 365 days of consecutive exercise, this no sugar thing would be a piece of cake (no pun intended). I was wrong. How does the song go? "If at first you don't succeed, brush yourself off and try again."

I did however have no soda. I don't think the lack of diet soda lessened the sugar cravings though, although I'm not quite sure if it was more sugar reflex or craving. I'm thinking (and hoping) for the first.

Anyway, I think I did enough counting in 2009. I will keep some sort of a running tally at the end of my blogs or something...I don't know, just for me, cause, well, I'm anal.

That's it! I'm off tomorrow so I plan to start fresh and new. Isn't it funny how it's another day, nothing new, same old, same old, yet my brain acts as though it's the start of something new? lol.

Hope you all had a great New Year. Make some goals! They're good for ya!

I can do this. I am a star.

1/366

Day 365 (day 1 / week 52)

2009-12-31T21:39:00.000-08:00

Well I did it. Today was a workday and I forgot my pedometer at home again (doh!). It was much busier than last week so a safe estimation of 13000 steps wouldn't be pushing it. My arms are also still a little sore from Wii Baseball yesterday...which I love.

So there you have it.

365 days of exercise.

I did it!

It wasn't a great feat because it was a bunch of small "make it counts" in a row. That's all you gotta do with anything big. Break it down into smalls. Think of it like a huge hunk of meat. You don't just inhale the entire thing. You break it down and work on it piece by piece.

You can totally do it if you are wondering.

I have a toddler, a job (a very physical one at that!), I work 12 hour shifts, I used to be a stay at home mom, and have a busy life. I even moved across state and sprained an ankle. I got a dog, had to give her up and was adopted by a strange pizza eating cat. I suck at replying to emails, comments and everything else that is bloggy related, I have issues managing my personal time, and I procrastinate BIG TIME, so this totally proves that I am just like everyone else (although you might be waay better at these things, than I am! sorry again!), with a normal life. I also heart sugar. yummy yummy sugar. *drool*

I have learned a lot and I had a vision of writing down a ton of things/goals that I had achieved throughout the year, but I'm tired.

I will tell you however that I am going to continue and focus on the things that I brushed aside or didn't try too hard with this year, because I didn't want to get overwhelmed and quit. I can totally do more than 10 mins a day now, so that will change. I also want to focus on strength training a lot more and my eating. I did HORRIBLY the past 2 weeks w/ my diet, but the rest of the year wasn't as bad as it could have been. This proves to me that focusing on what I eat is a must, if I want to lose weight. MORE weight. I probably gained 10 lbs in the last 2 weeks just eating whatever I wanted. I don't feel like I was owed it, but I spent a good portion of this year being "good" so I just let lose. Tomorrow that will change. Back to focusing and back to the basics. I also want to lose more weight in 2010 than I did in 2009.

That being said, I (really want to cry) decided to commit to something for 2010 that I have been dreading, but it is inevitable. I have issues w/ it and it needs to stop. I am in total denial and think "why the heck would I do this," but I need to. It's an addiction talking. I'm talking about sugar...again.

In 2010 no more sugar. Anything I see as a threat to this, I won't eat--including diet soda *cry*. I keep reading that there is a relationship between sugar cravings and diet soda, so I am just going to cut them both out. I know I am not strong enough, but I realize that God has given me HUGE amounts of strength and determination to do something hard for 365 days in a row (I'm not stopping people!) that I know that with His strength, I can do this. No sugar for 2010. I ate a good-bye brownie at work. It's going to be hard, but I know I can do all things in Him who gives me the strength to do it (Phil 4:13)! So can you!

My work schedule is crazy for the next few days. I work on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 6th, until I get back to my usual Sunday, Monday, Tuesday schedule. I do have a 1 day off in there, twice, but it's not enough for me to rest up, do measurements and all of that and get stuff done to be ready for work the next day, so I probably wont be posting any results until the 8th. I will post results for the entire year and all of that good stuff :). I don't think I did my first measurements in January until the 10th or 11th anyway, so it's all good.

Have a good night and a safe new year.

Thank you all for your support and patience with me. You all have blessed me in so many ways. I wish I could hug you all--including all of you lurkers! You bless my socks off!

((HUGS))

In 2009 I exercised 365 days in a row.

I CAN do this. I am a star!

Day 364 (day 7 / week 51)

2009-12-31T20:54:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

It was a day off and I got exercise in w/out even realizing it (sweet and thank you Monkey Boy!). By the end of the night I was panicking that it was bedtime and I hadn't done anything. My arm felt a little sore and I kept playing w/it not even realizing why it was sore.

The Monkey Boy got some game accessories for the Wii for Christmas: a steering wheel and a golf club for the Wii remote. He wanted to golf but kept swinging it like a bat, so I put on Wii Baseball and he just bugged me. I played many years of softball and I guess the game got the best out of me and I ended up playing it for an hour. My left arm is sore from "pitching" so long story short, I got in a little "exercise" but it's definitely better than nothing. I was so happy that I had played, because if I hadn't, then I would have done forearm curls or something in bed to make up for it. Two days before the end and I blow it now? pssht.

Anyway have a good night.

I can do this. I am a star.

PS i am noticed that I messed up on my numbers somewhere. It turns out I dupelicated day 292 (day 5 / week 41)--October 19 & 20. I started to fix those days and went through a few weeks, but I am just too tired, so I fixed today's number. Sorry for the goof up (it was bound to happen, right? lol).

Day 362 (day 5 / week 51)

2009-12-30T08:21:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I really am grateful for sparkpeople. For all of the tools it has given me, including the fitness tracker (which I am super grateful for now), nutrition tracker and all of the other bells and whistles that comes along w/ the free membership. I still can't believe it's FREE! If you haven't joined already, you should just poke around. It's free and has been a huge blessing in helping me with my 2009 resolution. I have learned so much, and there is SO MUCH support there out there in sparky land.

Anyway, I walked 1.5 miles in 25 minutes (getting better) and did some sissor kicks. I really need to start utilizing the quickfire challenges again, so I guess I will make that a goal for 2010 as well. I know it seems like I have been mentioning a lot of goals for 2010 but all they really are are just guidelines for me I guess...things that I know will help me to achieve my 2010 resolution--730 days of exercise (in a row) as well as some other stuff.

I have more goals in mind, some that I have been pushing away since they popped into my mind, but I keep going back to "no, that's ridiculous" because I really don't want to do it. It's not about want. It's about need. I need to do them, and I still keep saying "naw, not gonna happen." I was watching Joyce Meyer this morning, and she was talking about faith (my favorite subject). I was thinking about faith and my resolutions, and I decided to follow through w/ those goals, because plain and simple, faith without action is dead (James 2:17). She didn't say this, but it was one of those things that God put into my heart as I was listening to her, and I just have to do it. He will help me through it (if I let Him). Watching her put me in the place to "do what I gotta do," "make it count," and recieve His word.

I can totally do this. I AM a star!

Day 361 (day 4 / week 51)

2009-12-30T08:13:00.000-08:00

Monday, December 28, 2009

I did my normal work thing, but forgot my pedometer (grumble). I reset it, and just forgot to bring it with me. I estimated 12,054 steps because it was busy, but not a busiest day for me, and it wasn't slow either. On these types of days I usually get at least 12,000 steps in (gotta laugh at the random 54 steps--I don't know where that came from lol).

I also decided for 2010 that on my workdays I am going to make them mini strength training days. I am going to do at least some push ups when I get home. I know now that I can work and exercise, but I want to go just that extra mile next year, now that I know I can do it.

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 360 (day 3 / week 51)

2009-12-30T08:08:00.000-08:00

Sunday, December 27, 2009

I was supposed to work today (normal work day) but I switched schedules with someone at work so she could go to a doctor's appointment.

My sparkpeople fitness log says that I walked 1.5 miles in 30 minutes (a little better). Even though I have been really bad at blogging, I am proud of myself for getting my fitness minutes into my tracker on sparkpeople. It just makes everything else so much easier. Maybe that's why I procrastinate with blogging, because I know I have that backup that I can crutch on. Interesting...

I decided for the new year that I am going to put a goal on my blogging and exercising. I am naming it so now I have to do it. I am going to get my exercise AND blogging done before 2pm, with the exception of my workdays. I need to think about how to do that, because at 2pm, I am at work and I still don't know my total steps for the day. Either way I need to make that a bonafide goal, or I will never do it lol.

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 359 (day 2 / week 51)

2009-12-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I let it go this long w/out posting something. tisk tisk. The time really did slip away from me. Thank goodness for my sparkpeople fitness tracker.

Saturday December 26, 2009

I really don't remember the day after Christmas. Again, thank goodness for my fitness tracker. I logged 2.5 miles in an hour. Man that's slow. I also did 30 minutes of heavy cleaning, which makes sense.

This year for Christmas I didn't get my weights. I got a food processor instead (which is nice). Having weights is a huge part of my goal set for 2010 so I will have to go get some before my birthday (Jan 23), when my hubby plans on getting them for me. It will be an early birthday present :).

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 358 (day 1 / week 51)

2009-12-25T22:49:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope everyone spent precious time with their loved ones or doing whatever it is you wanted to do.

Today was a lot like yesterday. Push-ups before bed and all. I think I am going to start doing them daily. We'll see.

This morning we did the Santa thing for our 3 year old. He scored and loves his drum set. I know all parents say this about their toddlers, but he is so talented! He has rhythm and he is already playing to his favorite songs (A-B-Cs, Happy Birthday and Old MacDonald).

While he was unwrapping presents, the cat came back. It meowed loudly at our front door until my hubby opened it and then it walked right in, like it lived here.

I won't let myself get attached to this cat. It's someone's pet. I feel stuck because we fed the cat and she probably isn't going anywhere now that we did, but it's like one of those situations that you can't win from. We couldn't turn our backs on it and just let it go out and die in our yard (the poor thing is so skinny--all you feel is bones when you pet it) and we fed it because of this, so it's not going away. She ate 3 cans of tuna and a bowl of milk. If we just take her to the pound, no one will take her (she is SO horribly skinny) and they would probably just put her to sleep. We still can't find her owners so I am going to venture out a little farther away tomorrow and put up posters. She has this distinct orange sweater on her that would make it easy to identify her with, and a really long tail, so that might help too. I can't help but wonder if God brought her to us because He knows we will care for her and that my hubby will tolerate her (he is a cat person), if her family didn't want her anymore and that my heart still aches from Pebbles. Logan has been really good to her too (very gentle).

My MIL says there is a cat hospital up the street that will look at her for free to see if she is chipped and/or sick. I am not sure how I feel about adopting this cat if it is just a stray and if in the end, no one turns out to want her, but in a way she already adopted us! We got a litter box in the meanwhile until we find her family, but she won't use it at all. I know nothing about cats (I'm a dog person) and my hubby says that it could be a sign of illness. She was a house cat at some point, so I would think she would know how to use it. *shrugs* Anyone got any tips, comments, suggestions?

Here is a picture of her.

That is my son's blankey she is chillin on. He is VERY territorial with it (understatement of the year) but he is ok w/ her laying in it ???. Strange boy. Strange cat. (thank goodness for washing machines! lol). Off to bed.

Merry Christmas. God bless!

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 357 (day 7 / week 50)

2009-12-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The family was nestled all snug in the bed,
and mommy was still awake,
doing push-ups and reverse crunches instead.

lol.

Seriously though. It's hard to do the exercise thing during the holidays with lots of family and a little kid, so I ended up doing something before bed. That's what I did for exercise. 3 sets of 10 push-ups and 2 sets of 25 reverse crunches.

As you all know, I miss Pebbles (my dog that we had to give back, that now has a happy home with someone else). Deep in my heart I want a pet, but I won't ever go find one. I was talking with God yesterday and in my heart I said that I would never go looking for a pet again. I thought the only way I would ever end up with a pet is if one found us (what are the chances of that happening, right?).

Today (Thursday December 24, 2009) a cat found us. The poor thing was skin and bones and just begging for attention. We were going to the grocery store and this cat approached my hubby and practically jumped in the car. It was the funniest thing. This was someone's family member at some point, because it's wearing an orange sweater, has been de-clawed but is totally emaciated.

When we got home from the store (45 mins later) the cat was still there. My son fell asleep in the car so I got him out and put him in his room, and as I came out of the hallway this cat was sitting in the middle of the living room. I have never seen this cat before today--it just totally welcomed itself into our house and home.

We went out searching for posters of this lost cat, looked on craigslist and local classified ads, but we haven't found a thing. She used to be someone's family member and it hurts me to think that she could have possibly been abandoned (so many animals in this area are being left behind w/ the foreclosure of homes). She stayed in the house and purred at our feet.

We ended up leaving again so we gave it some tuna, put it outside and left for the night. When we got home a 4 hours later, it was gone so we just went to sleep, somewhat relieved (and missing Pebbles). Funny cat.

Anyway Merry Christmas!

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 356 (day 6 / week 50)

2009-12-23T22:33:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day. I got a lot accomplished. My son went to Arizona with his Papa and Nana to do the Polar Express thing, which is why I got things accomplished today lol.

I got up and exercised for 40 minutes. Cardio and balance (I've been feeling a little off lately) and I also walked 3 miles. Man it's cold and windy today! After that I cleaned my kitchen for 30 minutes--spotless. Love it! Then I did some more errands, went shopping, made some Christmas cookies (thanks Erin!), dropped them off at work, picked my son up and then drove to the dealership to sign some more paperwork w/ my hubby. I got a lot done and got home late. Glad I took advantage of the morning, becuase it would have been hard to do anything at this point. Gotta make that time count, ya know?

I'm bushed and off to bed.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. In my in-law's family, we do the Christmas thing on Christmas Eve (church/presents/dinner/etc). In my family we do it on Christmas day. Although I will be busy the next 2 days, I am going to make it a point to blog first thing, just so that I don't end up posting close to 11pm, like I am now. I still don't know why I procrastinate blogging. At least I am logging my minutes and stuff on Sparkpeople so that I don't have to remember what I did when I am blogging a few days in a row--I can just look at my log and type that in. *whew!* I heart that part of accountability. Kinda neat that I can look back on this entire year at any day and see what I did for exercise :).

Blessings to all of you throughout this holiday season! ((hugs))

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 355 (day 5 / week 50)

2009-12-23T22:31:00.000-08:00

10 days to go till the new year...

Tuesday December 22, 2009

A busy workday. 15,024 steps (7.11 miles). Man it was cold and windy. I was glad that it was my last workday for the week. Woo hoo!

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 354 (day 4 / week 50)

2009-12-23T22:26:00.000-08:00

Monday December 21, 2009

It was a scheduled workday but I didn't go in. I ended up walking only about a mile and doing strength training--overhead tricep extensions. I just did them until my muscles fatigued (about 3 sets of 25-30 w/ 10lbs). I just remember walking all over the house doing them hoping that I wouldn't knock myself in the head. I didn't, thank goodness lol.

I can do this. I am a star.

All Things in Christ! 365 days of exercise

Day 5

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

*pat on the back*

Remember Me?

Day 56-74 (technical difficulties)

Day 55 (I heart DDR)

Day 54 (Wed 2/23/11)

Day 53 (tuesday 2/22/11)

Day 52 *shaking fist*

Day 51 (I think I'm addicted)

Day 50 (Yaay for DDR!)

Day 49 (2/18/11)

Day 48 (2/17/11)

Day 47 (Wordless Wednesday)

Day 46 (2/15/11)

Day 45 (2/14/11)

Day 44

Day 43 (saturday)

Day 42

Day 41

Day 40 (2/9/11)

Day 39 (2/8/11)

Day 38 (do something intentional)

Day 37

Day 36 (Silent Saturday)

Day 35

Day 34

Day 33 (Wordless Wednesday)

Day 32

Day 31

Day 30 (1 down 11 to go!)

Day 29 (1 day left!)

Day 28 (If I can do it, so can you!)

Day 27 (short but sweet)

Day 26

Day 25

Day 24

Day 23

Day 22

Day 21

Day 20... Man, I love me some pink + sparkly!

Day 19 (it was my stinkin' FIL (hehe))

Day 18 (a twofer)

Day 17 (Happy Birthday Monkey Boy!)

Day 16

Day 15 (I really must stop cheating. like. forreally.)

Day 14

Day 13

Day 12

Day 11 (17 squared)

Day 10 (a long time ago)

Day 9 *shrugs*

Day 8

Day 7 (Stickers!)

Day 6 "You made that look easy"

Day 5 What the hizzy?

Day 4 is procrastination day!

Day 3 (it's not a TOO-mah!)

Day 2 *fart noise*

Day 1...oye.

Day 20+21

R2P2D18

Round 2, Phase 2, Day 18 (R2P2D18)

Here I am!

13 days??

I still heart Gym

Once Upon A Time (with tiny muscles)

I heart Gym.

One baby step at a time...

Where has the time gone?

off to a good start...

I feel itchy, oh so itchy...

Excuses, excuses and more excuses

Shame, embarrassment and addiction

*falls over on the floor*

Wii's Your Shape and EA Sports Active

pat on the back

Day 52 shaking fist

Day 9 shrugs

Day 2 fart noise

falls over on the floor