Thursday, February 14, 2013

Something is better then Nothing

Quick recap. No post yesterday as I was fighting a pesty head cold. Still lingering a bit, but I'm claiming complete healing. =)

 Busy...Busy....Busy....

Let's face it we are (or can be) pretty busy people. I know I am. I work every evening starting Sun - Thurs til 11pm. I'm exhausted sometimes but still have to maintain a healthy life, family, house, work, bills, social life.........Whew!!!

So we shall all agree that doing some form of Exercise, (not the sit up it takes to get out of bed) is better then saying we are too busy to work out at all.

While some experts say you should eat a good breakfast before working out I have found this doesn't work for me. It may work for some though so whatever you find works best..
My kids have to be on the bus by 7:40. When I get back home (when the weather is nice we walk down the block to catch the bus) I start my workout. My routine, while simple I suppose seems to be working (not in the sense of the celeb diets who lose like 30lbs in a month) but I have noticed subtle changes that I'm happy with.
I begin by doing sit ups followed by mostly several other strength exercises and stretches. The Plank is also a good one for your core muscles.
I have started adding my cardio I originally thought of doing cardio 3 times a week, Mon., Wed., Fri, however with my work schedule it fit better to do it on the days I go in later in the event I would pull something. 
So Weight Gain in the Challenge: For some there may be no change in weight this week or you may have seen a slight increase, despite working out and eating right. This is okay, because you are building Muscle Weight which weighs more then fat. Whew!!!

Changes: 
Have you noticed any changes over the past week and a half? 
Food:
Weight:
Energy:

I have noticed the changes and while again they are not huge, they are there so I will keep plodding on.
Oh I discovered that I actually like to dance on the treadmill. lol Well not jump about but I had a great song on today and I just couldn't help but dance along (being careful not to fall off of course) 
So I will be setting up my Treadmill Playlist later today. =)   

       

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Week 2. Ready Set

Ready Here We GO......

Ps. 145: 18 - 19
The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; he hears their cry and saves them.  

Well we are ready for Week 2. 
Do you see any progress from Week 1? Don't Give Up!!!

So for this week there will be No food deletions, there will be food additions. =) Still continue with Week 1 challange (no desserts, sodas, sweet tea no junk in your coffee.)

Journal Entry:

How did I do with Week 1? Hard,Easy?
Who am I doing this for? Remember that this is Worth it!!!

Week 2 Food Challenge:
Eat a healthy breakfast
Continue the Food Challenge from Week 1

7 Reasons to Eat a Healthy Breakfast:
1: Fuel for our bodies
2: Resetting our metabolism
3: Eating breakfast enhances our immune system
4: Essential nutrients in breakfast foods (i.e. Eggs)
5: Preventing cravings for mid-morning sugary treats 
6: Think more clearly in the morning
7: Good for our heart

Healthy Breakfast Foods:
try to eat 1 serving of Protein, Fruit and Whole Grain
            

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Happy Early Birthday to Me

Week 1 Almost Over

Well week one is almost over. I thought the new week started tomorrow til I checked my first post. We are ready for Week 2 on Wednesday morning.
Keep up the good work finishing out Week 1!!!!

So my early celebration in the city was Fabulous!!!! We walked around the Home Show just to checkout what was there this year then headed to a Very crowded Chinatown. Rememebering that it was Chinese New Year today made it even more interesting walking about because it was more crowded. The streets werre blocked off making for traffic congestion elsewhere around the blocks. We actually walked Chinatown twice, the first time just to check it out the second to actaully really stop and appreciate the stores and such. We shopped in the big Chinese Bazar which had lots of traditional Chinese items and we also stopped in what we`d consider a Dollar Store and picked uip some stufff for the kids. Our trip to the Chinese supermarket was a Blast. If you`ve never been to 1 you`re in for a treat!
We finished off the day with a trip to Franklin Fountain, a very old fashioned soda/ice cream parlor. They even wear period costume! Yes I did indulge in some ice cream but I didn`t eat the whole thjing. Boy it ws the best homemade fudge sauce I`ve Ever tasted!!!

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Happy Chinese New Year

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today is Chinese New Year so I guess it's only fitting to make a new years Decision. 

Mine: Follow the 42 days to fit plan along with my regular workouts and healthy eating and see the results. =)

I can say that I see results already in my stomach muscles. They have been very bad after having kids and it really bothers me. I've been doing at least 15 sit ups everyday and can see a Huge improvement since starting them in January. 

Today we also celebrate the 1st part of my birthday with a trip to the city. This has come about in the last couple years as my hubby has to go into the city to break down the Home Show his work has up. So we get family to watch the kids and spend the day wandering the city. =) I look forward to it very much. 

    

Friday, February 8, 2013

Week 1 Challenge Update

SNOW........GO AWAY!!!!!!

Ok, so let me just say I HATE the snow!!! Well not entirely. I love a good snow, that the kids can play in, then it can get warm.

Well to get to today's post. Trying to make it short as I have a Ton of stuff to do before the dreaded snow. =)

So this week you are to utilize the Week 1 journal guide (if you got the book) Here's a list of the questions. You can start your own journal and record your progress.

Before I Begin: What are my excuses for not being in shape, eating healthy?

What are my Biggest food challenges/what foods do I struggle with the most?

What are my Goals? 
* To lose weight
* Ability to run a mile continuosly
* Ability to play outside with my kids without getting tired
* To look better in my clothes
* Feel better in my body
* Have more energy

My Weight & Measurements right Now.
* Weight
* Waist
* Legs
* Arms
* Chest

How do I feel seeing these numbers?

How do I plan to stay encouraged?

Who is my accountability partner?

I'm trying to keep a mental log on how much water I drink everyday, what I'm eating and what I should've changed. Yesterday I didn't drink as much water as I would've liked as I was out and didn't take any water with me. =(
I end up feeling light headed as the day goes on but by the evening I can tell I haven't had enough to drink because Everything makes me thirsty. =)

The whole No desserts have not been too bad. The 1st night at work Everything was screaming...I walked to the bathroom and I swear the icecream tried to jump off the shelf and follow me. lol
The next day I had a lot of cooking I was doing and I think everything sweet in the pantry and freezer was calling me. So I drank a glass of water and grabbed a clementine. =) 
Team Bambi - 1            Sweets - 0               

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Week 1 Exercise and Check In

Exercise Challenge Week 1

Cardio Exercise: 
Choose 3 days this week to Walk, Jog, Bike, Run, Jump or Swim for 20min.
Alternate your 3 days of Cardio with your 2 days of Strength Training

Strength Training:
Choose 2 days for this circuit
Do the strength training 2times a day (if possible) 
You can use small dumbells if you want or a full water bottle or can of beans. =)
Do a quick warm up (honestly I don't because I've already been up walking about to get the kids ready for school) Otherwise do something like jumprope, run in place....

Shoulder Press: 10-12 reps  - Stand with feet apart, hold weights (or start without any) by your ears and push up towards ceiling (holding stomach muscles tight) don't lock your elbows though.

Squats: 10-12reps - These are done as if you're going to sit on a chair. I actually started out using a chair (check out Amanda Russells bun workout from a previous post) this way you know you're not cheating. =)

Push Ups: 10-12 reps - I do Ladies push ups as it puts less strain on my back and a previously broken toe.

Lunges: 10-12 reps - If you need an example check out this video as to how to do them properly
 http://youtu.be/-xPoD5qTaHk

Tricep Dips: 10-12 reps - Still not a big fan of these. I actually ended up doing the dips from the 5 Bridal Workout video

Wall Sits: At least 2 reps - Hold for 20 - 30 seconds

Bicep Curls: 10-12reps - Again you can use dumbells or a can of beans or water bottle

Abs: I do at least 15 sit ups everyday (actually start my workout that way) I have noticed a HUGE change in my stomach muscles and the 'flab' that hangs over my pants from doing these everyday for the past about 3 weeks.

You Can Do This!!!!!!!!
So You Slip Up..........Don't Give In and Stop......Push Through!!!        
       

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Week 1 Challenge & Fitness Test

Ok so despite feeling rather crappy I did the Fitness Test this morning (minus the 1/2 mile. Sorry will do it tomorrow just felt too nauseous) along with my other exercises.
Here are the results:
Sit ups: 29
Push Ups (on my knees): 17
Tricep Dips: 17
Wall sits (never liked these) 1minute
Sit & Reach: touched my toes so I didn't bother to measure
1/2 mile (will record time tomorrow)

Here's a link to the tricep dips (in case you don't know what they are, like me)
http://youtu.be/0326dy_-CzM

And now for Week 1
Are you Ready? Can you Commit?

Week 1 Food Challenge - Drinks & Desserts
Diving right in this week, don't be surprised if this is the Hardest habit to break (I know it is for me)
Drinks: while our bodies need water there are always things we Shouldn't be drinking. 
Juice, Sweet Tea (including herbal tea. unsweetened tea is ok), Soda (this is something I almost never drink for a few reasons)
1: It's loaded with HFCS (high fructose corn syrup, which we try to avoid in our daily foods) and it's simply loaded with Tons of sugar (not to mention it upsets my stomach)
Energy Drinks (while they may have some vitamins they are not a healthy source of energy).
And lastly COFFEE......While it contains some levels of antioxidants, and ok in moderate doses, it's Not ok when loaded full of creamer and sugar. So for the challenge: Only morning coffee, not sugar filled. Use milk or coconut milk, local raw honey or sucanat ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sucanat)

Desserts: Oh Horror!!!!
Let me just say that those who know me well know that I LOVE ice cream...So for this weeks challenge we are Cutting desserts out!!!!!!!!! Did I mention I LOVE ice cream!!!!

So in conclusion: This Week: 
1: Drink only water (at least 8 glasses) coffee with Healthy cream and sweetener or unsweetened tea.
2: No Desserts!!!!

One thing I will say about this week. My birthday happens to be on the 14th and we are celebrating it on Sunday with a trip down to the city. While I will Not overindulge in my b-day dessert I will have a small portion because well, it's my Birthday!!!!!  
I will say last year I did a fast for 14 days where I cut out heavy sugar (cookies, brownies, ice cream) and only ate things with natural sugars (like homemade granola bars which used honey and I cut back on the sugar content) Not only did I feel better day to day, but I didn't feel as tired either. When I did eat dessert after my 14 days (at a family dinner) I got an immediate headache (sugar rush) which to be honest felt worse then if I had just packed along my granola bars or some trail mix.... So I know I can do the No Desserts it will just be a bit hard (especially this weekend)

Some ideas for what to eat: 
Snacks: 
For these granola bars I made the following changes:
1/4 c br sugar
Instead of the raisens I used dried cranberries, a handful of fruit/nut trail mix and a handful of dried fruit mix I had ( i like the taste much better)
Also added 1/2 all natural (unsweetened) applesauce   
  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/playgroup-granola-bars/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=playgroup%20granola%20bars&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e13=A%3aSearch%20Results-List%28control%29&e7=Home%20Page