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

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 144 (day 4 / week 21)

Today I feel *blah.* I feel completely and totally lazy, and I feel like I could sleep all day, if my hubby and son would let me lol. The funny part of this is that I got in my 8 hours of sleep last night.

I might have overdone it yesterday, with the 3 miles and then mowing the lawn with that crapola push mower--too much time in the sun really conks me out, my ankle is a little sore and my hands hurt from the mower (darn blisters). I've always had allergies to the sun, so this just one of those many perks living in Vegas (sometimes I even get hives!).

Today I did close to 45 minutes of exercise, but I am calling this a (non) rest day, because it was very low intensity. I did Slim & 6pack, Slim & Limber (both from Slim in 6) and Ab Jam from Turbo Jam.

I'm glad I did something. Something is better than nothing.

Today my hubby wants to go to Bonnie Springs, an old Wild West town (replica of the 1880's) that has a petting zoo, and stuff that Logan will really enjoy, but we'll see. These things can get expensive when you factor in food, the entrance and stuff. Cute idea though! :). We just want to get out of the house--but it's too hot to go outside! (lolol)

Have a marvelous Sunday! Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 138 (day 5 / week 20)

I can't believe it's Monday again. My weekends usually go by pretty slowly because I procrastinate with exercise with my hubby around. I went jogging first thing in the morning, so the day's just flew by.

I love this new found strength that I have found with getting outside and making a big effort to jog (although I do power-walk a big portion of the time). I decided today, though, to take it easy, and give my body a rest, to see if it has anything to say about this new high impact exercise (compared to what I have been doing). I did Slim in 6's Slim & 6pack and Slim & Limber, and will probably go for a long walk with Logan today, to see where this road goes to that I have been turning off of for the past 2 days.

Yesterday Ellie mentioned a few things for me to check out in regards to running again, and I am so excited about one in particular--ChiRunning. It's a philosophy that my previous running partner used to talk about a lot, but I never knew the name of. Reading about it yesterday brought a flood of memories back.

ChiRunning.com explains more to give you an idea of what ChiRunning is:

ChiRunning combines the inner focus and flow of T'ai Chi with the power and energy of running to create a revolutionary running form and philosophy that takes the pounding, pain, and potential damage out of the sport of running. The ChiRunning program increases mental clarity and focus, enhances the joy of running, and turns running into a safe and effective lifelong program for health, fitness, and well-being.

I went to youtube and watched a few videos from people that swear by this technique and philosophy and I am excited! I am going to take it one day at a time and not push too hard to avoid injuries. Once I get the form/technique down, and have it down, I will start running really slow, to practice and practice that. Then I will focus on some of the training aspects for a new runner that Ellie also mentioned from CoolRunning.com, and apply ChiRunning to that. There is a whole section just for new runners, including the couch-to-5k running plan.

I feel so blessed that you guys are out there cheering for me and helping me with this goal! I have learned so much through you guys and I wish I could just give you all a hug! I'm just so excited with all of the potential I see, and it's because of you guys and your support (and of course our Saviour!).

I will update my labels to reflect the other exercises I do today. Yesterday I did some general swimming for about 20 minutes, so I am just going to add that to today's labels (it's easier for me).

Hope you all have a great day! Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star!

day 132 (day 6 / week 19)

So today I started the Slim in 6 series again. I did, "Start It Up!" (25 minutes) and planned on doing, "Slim & Limber" again, but did ",Slim & 6pack" instead (11 minutes). Going back to something that I have already done has great advantages. I can see how much I have gained from exercising everyday. I realized while I was exercising today, some of the things I can do now, that I couldn't do at all before or w/out some sort of a struggle:

1) push ups! (shedding 15 lbs helps!)
2) I can touch my toes with my legs straight and am A LOT more flexible :)
3) I can sit on my knees (resting my bottom on heels) (my legs were so big before that I couldn't do this--at all!)
4) I can do squats AND lunges! (15 lbs really does make a big difference!)
5) Lying on my back, I can pull my knees into my chest (like I'm hugging my knees)
6) I can stand with my legs together, knees together and have my feet also be together! (and do a squat at the same time w/out falling!)
7) I can kick AND I an jump--more than once in a row!

There are others, but I like the number 7 :) (I know, I know, #7 is really 2 points, but I'm allowed to make it 1 lol) . I am still a big girl, but exercising has given me my life back. I can do pretty much do anything that any average person can do--maybe more! (I say this just because I'm pretty sure that I exercise more than the "average" person). I couldn't say this before, and that is such a blessing.

So amazing!

Doing "Start It Up!" today really excited me. It's different from Turbo Jam, but I think it will help give some muscle definition. I think I might do Slim in 6 for 2 6week periods, and use my sculpting gloves from Turbo Jam, on the 2nd round (we will see).

I feel like I am moving onto a new level of exercise, and I have energy again!

On a side note...I think I might have developed an aspartame allergy and that's why I've been so tired, and have had so many headaches! I stopped using my protein/fiber water things, that I mentioned a few weeks ago (the South Beach Tide Me Over things that you mix in your water), and I feel much better!

I hope you all have a great day! I feel great and hope you do too! Make today count!

I can do this! I am a star!