Day 236

I just got finished doing day 2 of Cize on the advance calendar. Today's videos were You Got This (+ cooldown) and 8 Count Abs which lasted for about 56 minutes. 

Eight Count Abs only lasted for 8 minutes,  but it was hard. There are no modified moves and I an waay to big to do these so I modified them a little so that I could still do it...or honestly I would have just sat and watched it instead.

I think yesterday seemed a little harder than today, but maybe it's bc I know what to expect now. I still like it and it's still fun. There aren't any modified moves at all and I'm happy to say that I've been able to do all of the little hops and jumping so far. I am finding that I am working a lot harder with Cize than I did with Rockin' Body and I'm not associating it so much with exercise like I did with the latter. It IS exercise but my brain, I think, sees it more as learning to dance. I'm still really stiff but I feel determined and I think that motivates me,  which also helps with not constantly looking at the huge countdown clock on the bottom left hand corner.

Of to the shower.

One day at a time. One choice at a time.

I can do all things in Christ who gives me strength.

Day 284 (day 4 / week 40)

Today was a workday, but they sent me home early *grumble* so I am posting early. I even did 56 minutes of exercise, on top of walking the stairs at work and my 8 hour workday.

I feel totally silly and kind of stupid saying this, but yesterday my hubby and I caved and got a Wii Fit (on my Fry's card--told you they were a gateway drug). I am excited about this thing for so many reasons, but the number one reason is my husband! He is exercising! Willingly! Without me having to con him into doing it! This is WONDERFUL because heart disease runs very heavily in his family (both sides) and I worry about him. Although he is tall and lanky, he doesn't exercise to be that way. At all. He eats crap all the time. Big Macs, Whoppers, and he loves his salty snack foods. You name it, he eats it (unless it's sweet). When I called him to tell him they were sending me home early, he said he had been playing with the Wii fit for an hour! Woo hoo!

So I got home, put on my HRM and created a profile. I wish I could show you guys my Mii (it's the "me" version on the Wii). She's a cutie :). I did some strength training, balancing and cardio on it (my legs are still really sore from the 30DS). My HRM said that I did this for 56 minutes, and I did actual stuff (according to the Wii Fit) for 30 minutes. Wii said I burned 147 calories, my HRM said I burned 294 calories. My HRM goes based off of my individual heart rate, and the Wii gets it's numbers based off of METs. Anyway it is lots of fun, and I'm happy that my hubby is exercising.

I am all of a sudden feeling extremely tired. Could be the lights in this kitchen (they do that to me). Hope you all have a good day! See you tomorrow after work!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 173 (day 5 / week 25)

Today I did level 3 and then level 1 (with some level 3 modifications) of the 30 day shred, day 22 (56 minutes), and 5 sets of 20 reps of the Quickfire Challenge (QFC) Side Crunches with 5lb hand weights (this took me about 12 minutes).

In the last week or so, I have realized that I am procrastinating with exercising a lot, and that I am hitting some sort of a plateau with exercise--nothing is changing and I'm getting bored easily (I have mentioned these things a few times here). I also realized that I need to start exercising earlier, because my Monkey Boy is a distraction too, and I need to step it up a notch and exercise more, so that I can quit complaining (and coincidentally eat more lol). It's nice to realize all of this, but nothing will ever change until I actually do something about it.

The computer is my biggest distraction/tool of procrastination. Unfortunately my hubby comes in a strong second. There isn't anything wrong with these things and I definitely don't have to remove them from my life to accomplish my goals (what a surprise that would be to my hubby! lol), especially now that I know what triggers my procrastination for exercise. Yesterday and today I did something about it. One of them fell into my lap without my even looking for it (totally a God thing) which kind of also helps me with another.

I have a routine--I wake up in the morning (6am), go to the kitchen, fill up my water, get my yogurt and vitamins, then sit down (veg) at my computer and read emails and do my sparkpeople thing (points, reading articles, check off my goals, etc) and some other stuff. This routine is a BIG problem. Yesterday I decided that today and onward I would not come to the computer until AFTER I am finished exercising. My computer would be my reward and this TOTALLY worked (for today at least). I was finished with almost an hour of exercise before I normally would have even started--when I procrastinate. On the weekends I am going to try to speed it up and get to exercising while my hubby is in the shower. Out of sight, out of mind. Check and check.

The other thing that I tackled yesterday (the God thing) was my boredom of my workout. I don't feel sore and I am just bored. Randomly, I was invited to a group on sparkpeople called Quickfire Challenge (QFC)--the leader of the group puts up daily challenges/exercises for us to do, and this also helps me a lot with boredom and I am sore today! Yesterday one of the QFC's was to do a side lunge with a knee lift (surprisingly a Jillian Michaels move--it starts at :20 on the screen). It's kind of like the side lunge/anterior shoulder raise in Level 1--30DS (I think this is what she calls it), but w/ no weights/shoulder raise, and the leg that you lunge into, goes into a knee lift. I did 25 of them on each leg, 4 times (4 sets/25 reps). My butt is kickin'! Whew! Doing these QFC's tackles the boredom and also extends my workouts so they are longer--every extra minute helps!

The thing that I am saddest about in all of this revelation is a few articles I read about exercise and losing weight and maintaining weight. I knew that the FDA, ACSM and CDC suggest 30 minutes of MODERATE exercise on most days, but I think I purposefully blocked out the fact that if you want to lose weight or maintain weight loss you need to double that. Studies have shown (conducted by The National Weight Control Registry) that the 5000 people in this study that have lost weight, and have maintained that weight loss for 5 or so years do at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise EVERYDAY. *cry* I guess I need to step it up a notch. The lazy part of me doesn't want to, but I think I am ready. I have been teasing myself with it anyway.

So I guess that's it. I realized what was standing in my way, and I found a way to get around it. Hopefully I can stick to it! If I find myself lingering away from it, I guess I will have to create a sparkpeople goal, so that I can check it off (the same way I got myself to eat enough veggies, drink my water and take my vitamins lol--so sad but you gotta do what you gotta do!).

Have a great Monday! Try to realize something that is blocking you from accomplishing a goal, and find your way around it. Don't give up! Make today count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 163 (day 2 / week 24)

I just got finished exercising, and I feel great today. I took some of your suggestions and ran with it!

Today I did the 30 day shred (day 12) and did Level 3 and then did Level 1 immediately after. I kept my hand weights doing level 1, and used them for a lot of the cardio circuits (jumping jacks, butt kicks and shadow boxing with the hand weights), and did some harder variations in level 1, from level 3 (like the traveling push ups--I love those!). This is exciting and should keep me busy for a while, cause if you do the math, there are a ton of mathematical variations, if you switch everything around. I think I will double up on the days that I don't walk, and will just do one, on my (non) rest days...we'll see :).

I am still trippin' on the fact that I have to eat more calories. I will trust what I learned in school, and trust what the professionals at Sparkpeople say and just do it. If I start gaining weight though (well mostly if my pants get smaller) I'm stopping! I did eat 1350 calories yesterday, and feel great today, so who knows! I'll give it a few weeks to prove me wrong (lol) :).

I also said this (that I would stop if I gained weight because you don't count those calories) when I started taking the Triple Omega's a few weeks ago, and it never happened! My MIL was TOTALLY right (I still don't understand it though--calories in calories out??)! My skin feels and looks better, and so does my hair *shrugs*. I have...scratch that, I HAD flip flop feet (dried crusty feet--you guys know what I'm talking about, right?) and they look so beautimus now! Not dried and crusty at all! You wouldn't even know that I practically live out of my flip flops. Taking my omegas 3x a day really helped (my version of Udo Oil 2:1:1 formula since I can't afford that). If you guys want to know what that is, let me know! Super simple and I think that CVS has them buy one/get one free right now!

Hope you guys have an excellent weekend!

Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 152 (day 5 / week 22)

Today is the first of the month...measurement day. I would like to say that I am excited about my results, but I'm not. It could be worse though, so I should just be happy that I didn't have a big fat zero instead of something close to it (still disappointing though!).

Today I did Day 1, Level 1 of the 30 Shred. 28 minutes. I used my 3 lb weights. I think I am going to do it a second time today just because I want to have more minutes to enter into sparkpeople, to get more sparkpoints (oye, I've become one of those lol). I may or may not go for a walk with the Monkey Boy also. It just depends on his mood. We will probably go back to that water park though :).

I feel like today I got really sweaty and got a good workout. I don't remember getting like this before, but I remember it being a good workout, it being tough and that I was an Anita groupie. I was again today, but I don't think I relied on her as much as I did the last time I did this workout. I was able to do the jumping jacks without any pain. I think wearing shoes really makes a difference with this workout. Yaay for sneakers! I could also do ALL of the modified push ups. The only thing my knees didn't like was the side lunges with the lateral shoulder raise thingies. If I focused on what Jillian was saying and stuck my bottom out and back, it helped, but I could feel a strain or like a pull in my shin (strange). Maybe I just need to stretch out a little better before I do it again. :)

Onto the good stuff...well not so good because it could have been better...but it could have been worse too!

My measurements:

Measurements: (day 152 / 121 / day 10) (- "/# lost in current month)

Wt: 194.6 / 200.0 / 215 (-5.4#) (total lost 20.4#)
Chest: 39" / 39.5" / 43.75"(-.50") (total lost -4.75")
Waist: 34.75" / 35" / 41.5" (-.25") (total lost -6.75")
Hips: 44" / 44" / 47.75" (-0") (total lost -3.75")
Neck: 13" / 13.25" / 14.25" (-0.25") (total lost -1.25")
Under bust: 33" / 33" / 36.75" (-0") (total lost -3.75")
1" below belly button: 40.75" / 41.25" / 47.5" (-0.50") (total lost -6.75")
below my bottom (above my thigh): 39.5" / 40.25" / 44" (-0.75") (total lost -4.50")
R Thigh: 19.5" / 19.75" / 27" (-0.25") (total lost -7.50")
L Thigh: 19.5" / 19.75" / 27.5" (-0.25") (total lost -8")
R Calf: 13.25" / 13.75" / 14.5" (-0.50") (total lost -1.25")
L Calf: 14" / 14" / 15.5" (-0") (total lost -1.5")
R upper Arm: 10.75" / 10.75" / 14" (-0") (total lost -3.25")
L upper Arm: 11" / 11" / 13.5" (-0") (total lost -2.5")
R wrist: 5.75" / 5.75" / 6.25" (-0") (total lost -0.5")
L wrist: 5.75" / 5.75" / 6.25" (-0") (total lost -0.5")

Jan 2009

Feb 2009

March 2009

April 1, 2009

May 1, 2009
June 1, 2009

I lost only 3.25" overall in May 2009 :( but I lost 5.4 lbs :) (my bipolar sentence).

Not so excited about the inches sticking around (actually quite disappointing), but I'm glad I lost 5 lbs! My theory is that I didn't stick to a plan this month, like I have in the previous months with Slim in 6 or Turbo Jam, but did my own thing, and switched it up a lot (boredom). Maybe this month, I will stick to a plan, like Slim in 6 again or something to see if I can confirm this theory. *shrugs*. I did the 30 day Shred today, but I don't know if I want to continue to do it for the rest of the month. I think I have developed a commitment phobia with my workout DVDs (lol).

This month we had to use a new camera, because last month at this time, our old camera died *tear*. My hair looks lighter and I look darker, but I don't think that part is the camera (maybe the hair), but I have gotten darker, which is totally strange, cause even when I lived here in Vegas before, I NEVER got any color. Pasty white baby--all year round. 50 proof in the house! I even have a "tan line" on my wrist from my watch/HR monitor, just from my walks in the morning AND a farmers tan! I finally look apart of this family lol.

As a reward for being so great with my eating--counting every calorie and no refined sugar (and cutting back on the sugar free stuff) I am going to bake a Sugar Free Carrot Cake w/out frosting that I found on sparkpeople. I'll include the recipe for the Sugar Free Cream Cheese frosting, in case any of you want it, but I don't keep artificial sweeteners in the house, so I won't be making it (no frosting for me!).

Sugar Free Carrot Cake with Sugar Free Cream Cheese Frosting



Moist carrot cake with the added advantage of being SUGAR FREE!



4 egg whites
2 whole eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup unsweetened applesause
1 cup apple juice concentrate
1/4 cup water
3 cups whole grain flour
1 tbsp baking power
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup raisins
2-1/2 cups shredded carrots (4 medium)
Frosting:
1 1/2 cup fat free cream cheese (room temp)
1 1/2 teaspoons butter (room temp)
16 Equal packets or Splenda packets (to taste)
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Stir together eggs, apple juice concentrate, oil, applesauce and water. Set aside.
Sift together dry ingredients: flour, baking power, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Put raisins in warm water to plump.
Grate carotts and spray 2 round 9" cake pans with non-stick cooking spray (I'm using a bundt pan to cut the calories per serving and get more servings in this recipe).
Gently stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until moistened. Drain raisins. Fold in carrots and raisins.
Pour equal amounts into cake pans and bake at 350 F for about 25 - 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 F for 8 - 12 minutes more. (I think I will lower it to 325 and bake it longer--what do you think Erin?)
Cool cake completely and frost with blended cream cheese frosting.
Keep in fridge.

Number of Servings: 12 (24 with my bundt pan--I cut the big slices in 1/2 also)

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user DARCYMAC.

Nutrition Facts Sugar Free Carrot Cake with Sugar Free Cream Cheese Frosting
Serving Size: 1 serving (out of 12)
Amount Per Serving
Calories		270.7
Total Fat		8.9 g
	Saturated Fat	1.4 g
	Polyunsaturated Fat	2.4 g
	Monounsaturated Fat	4.5 g
	Trans Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		39.3 mg
Sodium		559.3 mg
Potassium		376.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate		39.7 g
	Dietary Fiber	5.0 g
	Sugars	2.1 g
Protein		10.4 g

Vitamin A	61.8 %
Vitamin B-12	3.7 %
Vitamin B-6	10.0 %
Vitamin C	3.4 %
Vitamin D	1.2 %
Vitamin E	10.2 %
Calcium	13.4 %
Copper	9.4 %
Folate	7.9 %
Iron	10.4 %
Magnesium	13.6 %
Manganese	63.1 %
Niacin	11.6 %
Pantothenic Acid	5.5 %
Phosphorus	27.2 %
Riboflavin	10.7 %
Selenium	36.0 %
Thiamin	12.9 %
Zinc	8.6 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Enjoy! If you use a bundt pan like me, cut the nutritional info in half!

Hope you guys have a great June. I can't believe it's June. I am so proud of myself for doing something this time, because I know that right now I would be saying, "what if I had started exercising in Jan? How would I look?" Now all I have to do is look at the above picture to answer my own question :).

Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

UPDATE: 4:13pm (PST) I just got finished doing the 30 Day Shred levell 1, AGAIN, for the 2nd time today! Yaay!

Day 57 (day 1 / week 9)

This morning after Logan woke up, I did the 30 day Shred, Level 1 (Day 4). He was NOT happy, but I decided to let him fuss for the short amount of time that it takes me to do this video. During the beginning stretch portion, he demanded to be picked up, so I swung him around on my hips, and then again on my knees. After that, he was fine :). He wants so badly to do jumping jacks! During all 3 of the ab sections, Logan layed his head on my stomach, and laughed every time I crushed up. He's so cute!

So the morning went by pretty quickly and then it was time for Logan's nap. I was so bored so I decided to do the 30 day Shred, Level 1, again! I just love it! I love the way it feels (she still annoys me though) and I love the feeling of accomplishment after it's over. My endurance has increased greatly but I still can't kick myself in the butt. I sure try though! lol. I think I am going to start Level 2 tomorrow.

I really can't believe how fast time is going by.

I am not putting myself on a diet (I don't eat badly to begin with), but I am going to start being more accountable for what I'm eating when we go out (1x/wk), now that it's easier for me to pass on the french fries and go for a salad instead. I also want to start buying even more nutritionally dense foods, that we don't already buy--I want to be adventurous since it's so easy with Logan. My hubby calls me a picky eater, and I hate that! (he's so right though, and I hate that even more!) lol.

I hope everyone has a great Thursday and workout! I can't believe it's almost March!!??!? oye!

I can do this. I am a star.