day 148 (day 1 / week 22)

Today I stayed home to exercise again. I did Slim in 6's Ramp It Up (48 minutes) again. My tummy is still trying to recover from those sugar free coconut chocolate things I had the other night. It was a party and everyone was eating pie and ice cream, and I chose to have 3 of those sugar free candy things for 200 calories--it hit the spot, but I probably wont have any ever again lol.

I really like Slim in 6. You guys know this though :). Between the cardio, yoga and strength training with the resistance bands, I feel like I get a good workout. There are squats, lunges, push ups and all sorts of slimming goodness in just 48 minutes.

For the last few weeks I have been tweaking with my calories. Sparkpeople has me eating 1200 calories everyday along with my exercise. I realized that when I eat 1200 calories a day, I stay at a stand still with my weight. This small delay tells me that I'm not eating enough. I added another 100-150 calories to that (still staying in my calorie range that sparkpeople gives me), and my body reacts to it better. I find this fascinating. Exercise/diet misconceptions say that the less you eat, the more you will gain weight. Very NOT true. I learned this in school and have read articles about this over the years (including recently on sparkpeople), so if paraphrasing isn't accurate enough, please don't bark at me. I am not a professional! This is what sparkpeople has to say about it:

The SparkPeople program will NOT allow any female to eat less than 1,200 calories daily or any male to eat less than 1,500 calories daily.

When calories drop too low (usually below 1,200 calories for women and 1,500 calories for men), your body’s protection mechanism switches on because the body thinks it is starving. In order to conserve energy, the body lowers your metabolism and you will not burn calories as quickly. This results in a slower weight loss rate, or sometimes prohibits any weight loss from occurring.

At SparkPeople we call this “Starvation Mode”. When your caloric intake falls below these levels, it is also extremely difficult to obtain all the nutrients that your body needs for health and survival. These very low calorie intakes can also lead to other health problems such as eating disorders, gout, gallstones, and heart complications.

Your body, our bodies go into starvation mode, when we don't eat enough, and it starts storing, instead of burning thanks to our ancestor, Captain Caveman. They never had a guaranteed meal so their bodies had to adapt to that. I guess we still have this gene. Anyway, make sure you are eating enough! Eating too little on your weight loss journey can hinder your results! Sparkpeople provides and actually incorporates the formula into your account so that you are getting the estimated correct amount of calories to your lifestyle. You can even go in and see the formula, and do it yourself (I did!). Maybe I'll post the formula here someday so you guys can do it too :).

I can't believe it's almost Friday. Time is flying by waay too fast, so I am glad that I am not sitting here, saying "I'll exercise tomorrow." Tomorrow is gone, and today will be soon. Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 147 (day 7 / week 21)

Today I woke up early to go for my walk, but decided to stay at home and do 44/48 minutes from Slim in 6's Ramp It Up. I also did some more strength training (see below). I ate something a few days ago that my stomach didn't agree with and for the last few days, I have been paying for it. They sure are super yummy, but really did a number on me! I decided to trust my instincts again today (and the sound of my stomach lol) and just stay close to home.

My workout was really great and I wasn't able to finish the last 4 minutes of yoga because my son was just so darn funny and wouldn't stop what he was doing. Debbie Siebers said "downward dog" and when Logan heard that, he immediately crawled underneath me and through my arms, barking! I laughed and so that instigated for more. He is such a riot--he ALWAYS makes me laugh...funny kid.

This is the strength training I did today:

Crunches with a twist -- 2 sets / 15 reps
Reverse crunch -- 2 sets / 15 reps
Low Mount Seated Rows with Band -- 2 sets / 15 reps
Seated Dumbbell Concentration Curls -- 2 sets / 15 reps
Squats -- 2 sets / 15 reps
Forward Lunges -- 2 sets / 15 reps
Overhead Tricep Extension -- 2 sets / 15 reps
Seated Dumbell Overhead Press -- 2 sets / 15 reps

I heart strength training. It's a very empowering feeling to work your muscles to fatigue and see them getting stronger. Then you get to go flex them guns and muscles in the mirror! *flex*

Jim Carrey as Vera De Milo

Hope you guys have a great day! My husband's "Gram" (Oma to our son) is in town. She and her hubby, "Papa" (Opa) is moving back to Las Vegas from Texas and I'm so excited! She is so much fun and my son loves them both so much. I'm glad that he will get to know them growing up, and that I will get to know them better as well :).

Make today count!

I can do this. I am a star!
*Vera De Milo muscle flex*

day 135 (day 2 / week 20)

Today I started off my workout (Ramp It up from Slim in 6) with the word of the day, from yesterday, resonating in my mind....boredom. If I think I'm going to be bored with my workout, then I'm going to be bored with my workout. Why am I letting myself be self defeating? I am a star! I can do this and have been doing this! I know I can do this!

With that attitude in mind, I didn't focus on the workout anymore, but on my body. My muscles. My movement. My breathing. The task at hand. I just closed my eyes and focused. You'll be surprised with what you can accomplish when you approach every task with this kind of focus. Before I knew it, I had done every single second of Ramp It Up, as if I had been doing it for a month straight...including those tedious leg lifts! I did EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM--IN A ROW! I definitely felt the burn, but that burn just made me focus even more!

The moment I decided to let go of the workout and focus on my body, my entire focus of the workout changed. I am no longer thinking about the mundane and monotonous workout--the time that it takes to complete it, but that the more I do this, the stronger I am going to get.

A friend of mine that lives next door to my in-laws here in Vegas, runs every Saturday morning with her "running group." When we first moved here and she saw that I had been losing weight, she asked me if I wanted to go running with her. First I thought, "wow that would be a great way to lose this weight faster" but then reality set in and I kind of chuckled in the back of my head thinking, "that's a good one, a fat girl 'running.'" But instead of saying "no," I said, "when I have a pair of running shoes that fit me w/out causing pain, I will go running with you," knowing fully well that that wasn't going to happen. I think it was the next weekend that my MIL bought me these shoes (I love them so much!).

I saw my friend the week after I got these shoes and I was still on the high from being able to fit in these shoes, that I mentioned to her that I had them now. Well she invited me then. The idea of going to run, is more exhilarating to me at this point, than doing it. I am scared! She said she would email me some information and we left it at that.

Two days ago I got that information and it's been gnawing at the nape of my neck ever since. When it was just the thought of her and I running, I was ok with it. Now she has a runner friend coming too! They want to run 5 miles for 2 hours. How on earth am I supposed to do this??? I have not ran a single step in a VERY long time--at least 5 years. I used to run all the time when I was fit, but I had some problems with my foot, that I am afraid will come back to haunt me.

All of this went through my mind as I found my focus in my workout today. How will I ever become a "runner" and get into the best shape of my life, if I don't just do it? My friend knows that I am overweight (duh it's obvious lol) and she knows that I will probably not be able to run like her and her friend. She knows she will probably have to stop for me a million times, and she still wants me to come (I think, lol). What's the worst that will happen? I go and all of this happens--I'll stop, my foot will hurt, I will have to walk, I'll slow them down, annoy her friend, yadda-yadda-yadda. No the worst thing that would happen, is that I think about it, and that's all that I do. "What if I went running with her?" "Would I have been able to do it?"

I think I'm going to do it. I woke up this morning planning my email to her, telling her why I couldn't do it. I will tell her exactly how I feel, and if she still wants me to go, I will. If she doesn't, then I will go running in my own neighborhood, by myself, just to see how I do. What's the worst that could happen? I find out that it's just not the right time for me yet, and I know, not assume, but actually know :).

It amazes me that when God sees us grabbing for the strength to do something, He gives it to us. We can do all things in Christ, who gives us the strength to do it! ALL THINGS. (Philippians 4:13).

I can do this. I am a star!

day 134 (day 1 / week 20)

Today I did Ramp It Up again (Slim in 6). It took me almost 2 hours to finish 48 minutes of exercise due to numerous interruptions. I guess I'll be doing this workout for 2-3 weeks, until I move onto Burn It up. I need to figure out how to trick my brain so that I don't get bored doing Slim in 6 for the next 6 weeks. (on a side note, my son is standing next to me watching me type this, and he laughs hysterically as soon as I type something *shrugs* 2 year olds will laugh at anything lol) Today is only day 2 of doing Slim in 6 again, and I can easily see myself getting bored. I'm sure I'll figure out someway to trick my brain into happily doing it--after all that's what I did to get myself to exercise for 20 weeks straight so far!

Yesterday I was never able to do Slim & Limber like I wanted to (when I am done here, I am going to fix my labels so that it's not accounted for). The monkey boy just never went down for a nap, making him a tiny terror for most of the day, so I wasn't able to get anymore alone time than to type my post. We did, however, go for a walk to the park down the street. It was nice because it was windy yesterday, but it was still close to 90F and the sun was so bright I ended up with a headache (I need to find a cute sun hat or something).

Today I want to do Slim & Limber and Slim & 6pack when he goes down for his nap, but I'm not going to hold my breath. If it happens, it happens, if not, oh well. We will probalby go for another walk as well.

I hope everyone has a great day. I can't believe tomorrow is Friday?!?! These days are going by a little too fast for me. Make it count!

I can do this. I am a star.

day 133 (day 7 / week 19)

This morning I did Slim in 6's, Ramp It Up (48 minutes) and sometime this afternoon I want to do, Slim & Limber (it's basically just 15 minutes of stretching).

Do you know how God helps women to forget just exactly how painful childbirth is, so that we will continue to have children? I don't know if that's for that exact reason, but I'm focusing mainly on the forgetting the pain part :). Like, we have an idea, and remember that it hurt horribly, but we--well, no one I have ever spoken with, and certainly not myself--can remember exactly how horrible the pain was (my epi didn't work correctly--I could feel everything on my right side).

Well, lol, just like in that instance (not really), God had me forget how much the leg lift/kick things hurt in this workout, so that I will come back to do it again. OMG I can't believe I forgot about those horrid things! I do remember now dreading the leg kick variation part, but wow. They truly truly suck, but I am going to have an awesome butt and legs for sticking to it. Man, I wish there was an epidural for that! (haha I'm j/k ;)).

My left pectoral muscles are pretty sore from yesterday's push-ups. Today I just pushed through them (I even did a "man" push-up!). If I'm sore tomorrow, I will not do the push-ups.

I wasn't able to finish the last few minutes of the workout which is just stretching anyway, because Logan decided to sit on my stomach while I was doing a full body stretch. He just about had a cow (bouncing up and down on my stomach) when I tried to get up and asked him nicely to move so that I could finish stretching. He must have gotten confused though and thought "get up" meant to lay his head on my shoulder (silly boy). All good :). I can't resist my baby doll's lovin' and I will just get a good stretch in this afternoon :).

I hope everyone has a great Wed. Can you believe it's Wednesday already?!?!?! Make it count! Before you know it, it will be Thursday! :)

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 22 (day 1 / week 4)

I can't believe it's almost been a full month since I started exercising. Almost 11 months left and judging by this month, I have a feeling that it's going to fly by.

Today I tried something a little different. I still did "Ramp It Up!" (tomorrow is my last day) but I exercised while my 2 year old son was fully awake and in play mode. I usually exercise when he is first waking up, so he is just wants to lay there or during his nap, so I was a little nervous. Since tomorrow is my last day doing Phase 2 (48 mins), I figure that Phase 3 "Burn It Up!" is going to be longer, and I'm probably going to have to do it while he is awake, so that's why I tried it today.

He tried exercising with me and thought it was fun. He laughed a lot, but he always does I guess. He is so cute and my eyes welled up, watching him trying to exercise with me. He threw his arms in the air, when we were doing the "up and over" and kicked when we kicked. He ran circles around me when I was doing squats and climbed through my legs when I was doing lunges and yoga. He cried when I was doing the resistance portion, because he wanted my resistance bands, so I pulled out another set for him, and he tried to do it with me (I want to try to get a video of this so I can show his girlfriends when he gets older). He got down on his stomach to do push ups with me (lifting his head up and down lol), and during the leg lifts that I hate so much, he gave me kisses, tried to climb up on my back and draped his blanket over my leg (silly kid). I had fun and so did he :). This is how he used to be before he started his "terrible 2's" phase, so I really enjoyed exercising with him.

I also felt a lot stronger today. I sweated a lot more and was able to complete the entire workout without having to stop. When my muscle burns, it feels different now, like it's tolerable, and not painful, and I can push through it. I remember when I used to have rest days (actual rest days, not (non)rest days like I have now) I would feel stronger when I came back to the gym. Its a great feeling to see and feel yourself getting stronger!

Thank you again to everyone that inspires and motivates me to exercise. You guys really help me do this!

Happy exercising and see you tomorrow!

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 21 (day 7 / week 3)

Yesterday Logan's Ped told me that I needed to put him on a "preschool" schedule (whatever that means) so that when he starts school, it wont be such a struggle to do it then. She didn't tell me when to get him up, but I'm assuming it's earlier (I just don't know how much earlier). She said I need to start getting him to bed by 8-8:30pm at the latest. I usually try to put him down at 9, but he really doesn't fall asleep until 10-10:30pm. This being said, I got early to exercise again today. I spent too much time doing other times and let the time go by. Seeing that I had to get him up early today, to start this new sleep routine, I knew I wasn't going to have enough time to do "Ramp It Up!"

I decided to do a (non)rest day today (phase 1, "Start It Up!"), because of this, and I wish I didn't. I'm not tired or sore, I was just short on time, and wanted to get a quick(er) workout in. I think this contradicts what I said yesterday about "making it count." Making it count, means more to me now, now that I understand why things are done the way they are on Slim in 6. I think this afternoon I'll do "Ramp It Up!" during Logan's nap, because of this. I really hope I'm not cold and tired again. I don't want another power struggle with my willpower lol.

Yesterday I was logging my exercise into SparkPeople, and asked myself, "I know this is aerobics, but it's also sort of like circuit training, so what kind of exercise is Slim in 6, exactly?" It turns out it's called, "Slim training." I knew this from years ago (from the infomercial) but just forgot. This is what I found yesterday to jog my memory:

Slim Training^®
If you've ever seen a marathon, you've probably noticed one thing all the elite runners have in common—they're very thin. Too thin, perhaps, for some tastes, but, regardless, the process of running marathons all the time tends to make people very thin. The reason is that they do so much repetition that it limits the muscle's capacity for growth as well as using the body's stored fat for energy.

Utilizing a similar concept, we expanded on Sectional Progression by adding a repetitive element. By working the same body parts with less rest in between similar workouts, the body is forced into a different type of adaptation. Like a marathoner's body shows, repetition limits the amount of muscle growth that can occur. Wanting our clients to achieve a more well-rounded appearance than that of a marathoner, we reduced their massive number of repetitions and used a full-body circuit. This is done daily to limit the amount of resistance (weight) that can be used while working the entire body for a lean, slim look.

While very effective, this style of training can't be done all of the time. For this reason we made Slim in 6^® a six-week program and recommend a recovery cycle in between rounds. A recovery cycle is a period of time when you reduce the intensity of your workouts—generally the weight and speed—to allow your body to recover, get strong, and become ready for another round of high-intensity training.
http://www.focused-on-fitness.com/weight/proven-workout-techniques.php

Reading this made a light bulb pop over my head. Now I know why we are doing exactly what we are doing. Somehow this will make it easier for me--there's a method to this madness!

Now, I'm really excited to move onto the next phase on Sat!

Sorry for the long post again.

Hope everyone has a good day and a good workout!

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 20 (day 6 / week 3)

I really didn't want to exercise today.

I wanted to earlier this morning, which is why I woke up early for it, but realized that I couldn't finish my entire workout if I did. I have to hear Debbie say, "See you tomorrow!" or I wont come back (lol) and I didn't want to punk out on my workout. I know would come up with excuses not to come back and finish the workout and end up saying something like, "well at least I did something today." I didn't want that. I want to make every bit of my exercise count.

My son had his 2 year wellness check this morning at 9 am, and I needed to make sure I got him up, got his snuggle time in (or he's a little punk for the rest of the day), feed him breakfast and get us both ready which means I needed to get him up around 7-715 at the latest. I woke up at 6am, would have started exercising at roughly 6:30, which puts me at finishing the workout at around 7:15. I would then need to take a shower and get ready, and wouldn't be able to wake him up until probably close to 7:45-8am. There is no way we could have made the dr's appointment on time if I did that--so I just didn't exercise at all this morning, but it really messed with my energy/willpower.

Logan got shots today, so it was also a very draining day. He cried from the moment we walked into the exam room until we left. very. draining. day. After we got home at 10:30am, I took him for a long walk (an hour) which could be considered exercise, but I don't, just cause I felt rather relaxed and exercise doesn't make me feel that way. Then put him down for a nap and thought about exercise. I watched the parade laying down on the couch (thinking about exercise), covered in a blanket (thinking about exercise) and FREEZING (thinking I really didn't want to exercise lol)! That made me drowsy (being on the couch does that to me anyway) and then I REALLY didn't want to exercise.

I got up to check some of our ebay auctions (to fund our move), then my email, and I saw some comments on my blog, which really motivated me to exercise!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I did "Ramp It Up!" again, and had so much energy doing it! It warmed me up, and now I feel great :). I increased the tension on the resistance band part of the workout, and my arms feel like jello. I have 3 more days on this phase, so I have to make it count!

I really wanted to thank you guys for motivating me to get my butt up and exercise! I really needed it today :).

Thank you again, and I hope you guys have a great workout yourselves!

Smiles and blessings!

I can do this. I am a star (thanks to you guys!)

Day 19 (day 5 / week 3)

Today was another early exercise day. I had another workout invite on WOWY from DaleBramall again (same person from yesterday's invite), but this time it was for 6am (PST)! I really tried to be ready and push play at 6, but it was really hard. I ended up starting at 6:30am instead (better than nothing). I did "Ramp It Up!" again, and calculated that I have 4 more days on Phase 2 before switching to phase 3 "Burn It Up!" That means that Friday is my last day doing this phase. *biting fingernails*

I really hope I'm strong enough to move on. I feel like I have really improved. I am excited to see what kind of results I will see :).

Now that I have been exercising for 19 days straight, its definitely getting easier to get up and do it each day. I don't feel like it's taking as much effort or willpower to do this anymore. It's becoming a part of my routine, and even my 2 year old is recognizing this. He woke up early today, and watched patiently from the couch as his mama finished her exercises. Now he sits patiently waiting for his cuddle time before breakfast.

This being said, see you tomorrow! Have a great workout and glad to see that so many of you joining me! It feels great, doesn't it? You guys are stars!

I can do this. I too, am a star. :)

Day 18 (day 4 / week 3)

Thank you for Logan's birthday wishes yesterday. He says "thay coo!"

Today I did, "Ramp It Up!" again and I had an appointment to workout at 7am (PST). Some guy I don't know has been sending me (and a LOT of other people) workout invites through milliondollarbody.com (beachbody), and today I was on time :). This is what the invitation looks like after I have RSVPed:

RSVP FOR WOWY WORKOUT

RSVP Confirmed: Yes, I will attend

You have responded that you will attend the workout on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 7:00 AM PT with DaleBramall.

173 other people are planning to work out with you (WOWY) on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 7:00 AM PT.

DaleBramall will be doing Other for that workout. Log in and choose your workout now in your WOWY calendar.

It's gonna be a workout party! Invite someone else to WOWY on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 7:00 AM PT.

Be sure to log into WOWY a few minutes before your scheduled workout. We'll see you there!


It was early, but I felt great. I think it was because I knew 173 other people were there all over the US doing it with me.

If any of you would like an invite to workout, let me know your email address and I'll gladly send you an invite! It might prompt you to create an account, but you can do it for free (there is also an option to pay for extra perks--I would but we are saving money for the move). I really like working out with Team Beachbody because I use a lot of Beachbody products, and it personalizes my logged workout to my exact workout, instead of being pretty generic like SparkPeople (I'm still learning about that site, so I might be wrong!).

Last night for dinner I had Salsa Chicken wrapped in a tortilla (yum!), from A Year of Crockpotting, that I made the night before last. I also made 14 cups of chicken broth, which I was super excited to make again, because I have a new emmersion hand blender. It took 1/2 time time to make after it had been cooking all day in the crockpot, than the first time I made it, because I used a blender. SO EXCITING! I mention this, because I am consciously eating healthier and really enjoying it! Thanks Stephanie for posting in 1 lump all of the great healthy recipes (and super yummy not-so healthy recipes ;)).

Hope everyone has a blessed Sunday and a great workout! You can do it! Have fun!

I am doing this! I am a star!

Day 17 (day 3 / week 3)

Today is going to be a quick post because I have a ton of stuff to do. Today is my son's 2nd birthday. We're not having a party or anything, but I need to wrap a present...that he has already seen--how will we know he will like it if he doesn't play with it first? lol. He's a bit of a toy snob lol. I also need to bake him cupcakes so we can sing happy birthday to him.

Yesterday afternoon I did a 2nd part exercise, "Ramp It Up!" but I was very distracted and didn't do it wholeheartedly and I skipped the stuff that I had done earlier that morning (the resistance stuff).

Today I didn't want to exercise, and started to exercise with that state of mine. I decided 10 mins in, what is the point in exercising if I'm not going to try my hardest? I am the only person that can do this for me and it's a total waste of time to mess around (I will never see results that way), and so I perked up a little. I did, "Ramp It Up!" again and could tell that I am getting a lot stronger than when I started it. Great feeling!

Before I go, I have to tell you guys! I got the most wonderful compliment from my hubby yesterday. He is the kind of person that you have to pull compliments out of and lead him to, so it amazed me that he said something without my coaching. It's a little rough around the edges, but it was a compliment nonetheless! I was putting my belt on, and my pants still kept drooping and he said, "You lost your butt. It's flatter now. It's almost as flat as your back and that's why your pants wont stay up." Then he squeezed my butt and said, "it's getting firmer too." (sorry for the graphics). What a great compliment (in his own way lol :)). I kept thinking about that today when I was doing the squats, lunges and leg kicks that I hate so much. Yaay! :)

Have a good workout everyone!

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 16 (day 2 / week 3)

I woke up really early today. My hubby leaves for work at 5:30am and lately I have been asking him to set my alarm clock (aka my cell phone) and bring it to me. Today, he couldn't find it. He tried calling it, and didn't hear it ring, so we assumed that I left it in my car. I did. Knowing that it was in my car, I couldn't fall back asleep. I put my husbands robe on, a pair of pants and my slip on shoes (without socks) and ran out to my car to get the phone. It didn't feel like it was below 20F, but it was--it's 22 now as I type this and it's 8am! I came back inside and tried to go back to sleep, but that wasn't going to happen. I went online and poked around SparkPeople again.

Every 30 minutes I would try to pump myself into doing, "Ramp It Up!" I did this for 2 hours and finally decided (at 7:30) to get up and move. I put the video on and then punked out. I just don't want to do Ramp It Up this early...can you blame me? Right now, I just don't enjoy this kind of intensity first thing in the morning. I will work up to that because I have read somewhere (in school and I think Oprah's Bob Greene said it too), that you benefit more when you exercise early--although if you can't, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't exercise at all. Some exercise is better than no exercise at all :).

Punking out on RIP didn't mean I was punking out all together today. I decided I really wanted to do some resistance training, and did...with my resistance band. I guess it was about 20-30 minutes--I don't know exactly how long as I was watching the news about the plane crash in the Hudson River yesterday (can you believe that???). I focused mainly on upper body...well arms and shoulders. I worked on my shoulders (overhead shoulder press), biceps (standing bicep curl) and triceps (overhead tricep extension<--I step on the band instead of holding it behind my back like this example). I did 3 sets of 15, for each muscle group. This afternoon after I put Logan down for a nap, I plan to do "Ramp It Up!" I know that I will benefit most from the cardiovascular exercises that I do, so that is why I am going to do it. Also, it would be lame of me to do a 6 week program, and not do it! lol. I have had this series for a long time, and never fully completed it (same with The Biggest Loser workout). My goal for this year (inside of my resolution), is to complete them...in full--all at 1 time, not start and come back to it like I always do. I will post about my additional exercise that I do this afternoon on tomorrow's blog, unless any of you would prefer that I post it today, in a 2nd parter. I am happy to do either...whatever helps to motivate and encourage just 1 of you to exercise, since you guys are doing an incredible job of motivating and encouraging me :). Thank you again and happy exercising! We can do this because we are stars!

Day 15 (day 1 / week 3)

Thank you for all of your support! I appreciate every single comment you guys have left for me. You all are so wonderful and it's such a blessing to see how many amazing people are out there that are so supportive! I am only just starting the 3rd week of this and have learned so much through you guys, and have total faith that with your help (and God's), I will not fail!

My intention was to get up early again and exercise like I have for the past 2 days. My son decided he didn't want to stay under his blanket last night (his room is one of the coldest rooms in our apartment) so he cried to get tucked back in although he has warm footie pj's. After the 4th time of doing this (at about 3 am) I stopped going in there to put him back under the blanket. Could be a growth spurt for why he keeps waking, maybe he was cold, but after I ignored him once, he went to sleep by himself and didn't wake until I woke him up. He usually sleeps through the night so it's not normally a problem.

This being said, I wasn't able to get myself up by 6am to exercise. I was invited to a "workout" by someone on WOWY, and there would have been (I think) close to 150 or so other people working out at the same time (6am PST) invited by this same person. I punked out.

I think I might feel better working out in the afternoon anyway.

After Costco, and after putting Logan down for a nap I did Ramp It Up (again). I feel better and stronger in the afternoon. *shrugs*. When I used to exercise a lot, back in the day, I lived for morning workouts. The earlier the better. not anymore!

It's funny, I wanted to exercise, not to exercise, but to count the number of squats, lunges, etc that I am doing, to enter into Sparkpeople (yes I joined!). I know I said "don't be obsessed over numbers," but these are different. lol. For a long time, I though that the "numbers" were screwy in "Ramp It Up!" I count EVERYTHING not necessarily like calories, but like steps, or jumping jacks or lunges... clicks or something repetitious that I hear or see (I guess I'm OCD like that). I like things symetrical and even. If you're gonna do 19 kicks with the left leg, do 19 with the right! Not 19 and 9--that's very lopsided to me and makes me want to fall over. I feel like there is just unfinished business left. It just makes sense, right? Ok I may be a little odd...eer even, no pun intended--yes it was! lol

With exercise, counting makes it easier for me. It's totally psychological. If I don't count how many lunges I am doing or know when I am going to stop, I feel like it hurts more, than when I count them lol. Maybe it's becuase I know how many I have left of whatever I'm counting and I can focus the pain better. *shrugs* Anyway, Debbie counts all funny. 20 lunges on the right leg, 17 on the left. I guess I don't blame her. She is trying to run a workout! The leg kicks that kill me at the end is all messed up and that really messes with my head. With each leg we do a "Kick and extend", a "Straight leg" (up and down) and a "bended knee" (I think of Boyz II Men everytime I hear those words lol). She does them very unevenly and it's extremely hard to describe how. This is how it looks on my paper. Hopefully you can understand what I mean:

Extend Straight Bend
R
14+8
L
19+8

Straight Leg
R
14+8
L
9+8

Bended knee
R
17+8
L
16+8

No wonder my left leg hurts more than the right!

See, that is TOTALLY psychological, cause right now I just added up the numbers combined for the right leg and then the left, and it's 1 number off. lol. oye! She's screwing with me! :)

Sorry, this is rambling. I'm gonna jump onto sparkspeople and poke around some more now.

I wish I could pass out hugs because you all really don't know how much you guys are helping me! Thank you for exercising with me and sharing your suggestions and feelings. I am right there with you guys! If I can do it, you can too!

((hugs))

Happy exercising and see you tomorrow!

We can do this because WE are stars!

Day 13 (day 6 / week 2)

Today I decided to wake up early and get the exercising out of the way. I knew yesterday that today was going to be a busy day and didn't know where to fit exercise in. I have to go find a job working at night so that we have some money to pay for our move. The only place I saw to fit exercise in was when I was sleeping lol. I told my hubby that when he left for work, I was going to wake up and exercise. He laughed. We both laughed (mine was a little more of a cry). Everyday I have a LONG luxurious sleep (except for when I'm sore) because I am a SAHM. I can do that. Logan lets me. He doesn't usually wake up until after 8 am anyway (and that's because I wake him up!). I'm a lucky gal, so I can afford to wake up a little early. I count my blessings that he sleeps in everyday, because I have friends who have to get up at 5am because that's when their kids do. ((hugs))

So I didn't get up at 5:30am, when my hubby left for work. I woke up at 7. lol. Logan was still sleeping and I was able to get my exercise in, so it's all good. I have the rest of the year to work on waking up earlier to exercise. In fact, I would prefer to exercise earlier than later.

Can you guess what I did today? That's right! "Ramp It UP!" the second phase of the Slim in 6 Series with Debbie Siebers (from beachbody). I didn't have fun today. I was tired and lazy. I think it's because I didn't take my vitamins yet and exercised first thing. I need to eat too. I read somewhere (I think in school) that it takes like 2 hours to digest, and you shouldn't eat before you exercise, because your body isn't able to give its full attention (energy) because it's distracted. I read if you do eat before you exercise, to do it 2 hours before. *shrugs* I'm not a professional so I don't know. I can't remember where I read it, but it sounds good and kind of makes sense so I didn't eat either. I think that took away from my energy too.

I hope everyone has a great day exercising today! If I can do it, so can you! Just get out there and do it! You'll be glad you did! I am :). *high fives*

Smiles and blessings, and see you guys tomorrow!

I can do this. I am a star (so are you!).

Day 12 (day 5 / week 2)

I first want to thank everyone for the great comments and suggestions. All of your comments made me super excited to exercise today! I looked forward to it, thanks to you guys :).

Thank you Steph for the mention on your blog today. I feel like the more people that know that I am doing this, the more excited I am do actually do it! I am making the pineapple chicken for dinner and will lay it on a bed of brown rice and a side of green veggies since those are Logan's favorites (strange kid).

Today I did "Ramp It Up!" again. I know I sound like a broken record with this one, but it's a 6 week program. I found the directions (that I lost) on the internet, but they are backwards (see pic below). I just googled "simple steps to success" (the name of the directions) and found only 1 image result that fit what I was looking for. I remembered what it looked like, so that helped. A girl, that also did Slim in 6, posted her completed calendar (she used the backside) I am ignoring everything she wrote, and am focusing on the background colors lol. From what I remember (and am assuming) it has "Start It Up!" for 2 days, "Ramp It Up!" for 2 weeks and 5 days, and the last one, "Burn It Up!" for 3 full weeks. This is what I am going to do.

(pic taken from "get fit with barbie")

I made it through the yoga phase unannoyed (shirt tucked in) and am proud of myself today. I can tell that I am getting stronger. I was excited to exercise for 2 reasons. You guys and I knew it would warm me up (my toes were numb I was so cold).

Thank you again for the comments and motivation! You really don't know how much it helps me and gives me willpower!

I was SO excited to exercise today! Thank you again!

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 11 (day 4 / week 2)

Oye. Today was another hard day for me. I was just feeling lazy and didn't want to exercise.

I have a lot on my mind with moving. My hubby decided yesterday that we are probably going to move back to Vegas (if we move at all), where we grew up. We have more support there so I can go back and finish Nursing School while his dad watches our son. We wont do any better here, in Reno, than we will in Vegas, so I'm ok with it. He told me, that in order for this to happen, I will go back to work first so that we can continue to pay our bills, since it's easier for me to find a job at a hospital working as a CNA, than it is for him to find a job. He's right. After he finds a job, he said that I can quit and go back to school. Sounds like a good plan, but moving is difficult and that's why it weighs heavy on my mind. I'm still wondering how I am going to do everything (including work) and exercise at the same time. God gives us the strength to do what we need to do on a daily basis, so I have faith that it will all happen (Phil 4:13).

Anyway today I was cold. In fact, I'm getting cold again, sitting here typing this. Our bill was so HUGE this month (we really don't know what changed to make it jump almost $100) that we have the temp super cold in here. A whopping 65 degrees F. That doesn't seem cold, but IT IS! I started exercising in a sweatshirt and finally warmed up and took it off. It was bugging me as was everything today! It was so cold, my nails were purple and I'm not wearing nail polish!

I did, "Ramp It Up!" again today, and was able to do 18 push ups (10 and then 8)! Yesterday I couldn't do that many (I could do 5 lol). My goal for today was to do 6 in a row. yaay! I felt really impatient during the yoga portion, which I think defeated the whole mental benefit of yoga. She just kept talking, "bla, bla, bla open your chest up" (during the "warrior" position) and I think I even shouted out loud, "Come on!" (very impatient of me). I can't feel it in my chest...at all. I'm sure I will someday though. Think I just really wanted to be done with exercising, also. I was already annoyed because every time I do, "downward dog," my shirt falls over my head, the way you see those women on AFV who do cartwheels with dresses on--extremely annoying. Tomorrow I will Steve Urkle it, and tuck my shirt in.

"warrior" position

"downward dog" position

(these cute little drawings are from yoga-training-you.com)

I really enjoy the resistance training, and am starting to warm up to the leg kicks that I hate so much. I can feel my legs getting stronger, although you can't see it at all. Someday.

Thank you for all of your support. Your comments and emails really help me continue to do this...especially on days like today, where I don't want to exercise at all.

I promised that these blogs would get shorter, and they are not. Sorry! Maybe someday.
I have 354 days to work on it lol.

See you tomorrow! Have a great workout!

I can do this. I am a star.

Day 10 (day 3 / week 2)

Today was a hard day for me to exercise. We spent most of the morning and early afternoon looking at apartments. That's right. We are moving. I have no idea how I am going to exercise on the actual moving days, but I will figure out a way. I have a laptop computer, so I will still be able to update this blog.

Because today was so hectic and all over the place, Logan tried to skip his nap. I spent almost 3 hours trying to get him to take a nap. I normally wouldn't care if he skips a nap, but he was tired so his royalty was showing. I finally got him down at around 3:45pm and started exercising at 4pm. I was also very self conscious because my hubby is here too--I don't like exercising in front of him, especially with a workout that I am not 100% confident in myself with.

I did "Ramp It Up!" again and it was a lot harder today, than it was yesterday. I had a hard time sleeping last night because I woke up every time I moved my arm, because my muscles are sore. I struggled through it today and wanted to quit 1/2 way into it (my socks were choking my toes!) but didn't. I stuck with it, and am happy I did. I would be so disappointed in myself if I didn't.

I still can't do all of the push ups, but can do more than 1/2 of them now, and am still having a very difficult time with those leg kicks that I complained about yesterday. My arms didn't quiver during the yoga portion so that made me smile, although I almost fell over. Note to self--Don't smile and do yoga at the same time. You'll fall over!

I took another before picture and entered my measurements into my Team Beachbody profile (I didn't submit the pic though...I used one from April/08 that I posted here). My measurements are:

Weight: 215 lbs.
Chest: 43-3/4" (with the puppies strapped down lol)
Waist: 41-1/2"
Hips: 47-3/4"

On Feb 1 (30 days from when I started) I will take another picture and re-enter my measurements. At the end of the year, I will post all 12 pictures, so you can see my progress, unless otherwise suggested. I guess I could be embarrassed that I am telling everyone my measurements, but I don't plan to stay this way. Maybe telling the world how big I am, will give someone else confidence they need, to do whatever they need to do, to accomplish a weight goal.

I can do this. I am a star. (so are you!)

Day 9 (day 2 / week 2)

Today Logan isn't feeling well :(. The upside to this is that he wanted to take his nap, sooner than later :). That meant that I got to exercise earlier in the day :). Yaay!

Not to go all "IM" on you guys, but OMG! Yesterday I promised that I was going to do Phase 2 in the Slim in 6 series called, "Ramp It Up!" (RIU) and I did! It was 48 minutes long and kicked my butt! I am all sweaty now and am afraid to think of how I am going to feel tomorrow (soreness). Right around the last 20 minutes was the hardest for me. Debbie has us get on our hands (well elbows) and knees, and do various leg kicks, then push ups, then do the other leg--so hard! I will be very proud of myself when I can do the whole thing without stopping or laying on the floor in defeat (should have taken a picture of that lol).

There is like 4 sections to RIU. The first section is like Start It Up with plies and such, but faster. The 2nd part is with the resistance band (that came with the series). I really enjoy this part. I used to have muscles and loved working them! The 3rd part is the floor exercises from hell--pushups and the leg kicks...ouch!. The 4th and last part is stretching and yoga, which lasts for 5 minutes. I felt my arms quivering in the "exalted warrior" position.

(exalted warrior position)

Thanks for reading and thank you for the encouragement that I have been getting from you guys! You really help me do this, more than you know!

If there is anything else that you guys want me to include in the blog, please don't hesitate to ask!

Happy exercising and see you tomorrow!

We can do this because WE are stars!