bragging a little.

but not about me!

my husband has been working out since may 7th. he's had amazing progress. he's working with a personal trainer, who happens to be a friend of ours. he's enjoying finding new snacks and ways to prepare old favorites. it's making a difference, and here's something we can all learn:

the scale lies.

seriously. he'd been really disappointed by his recent (at-home) weigh ins. but then this morning he did the official gym weigh in, and found that while he'd lost only 7 pounds, he'd lost 45 pounds of fat. i can't even comprehend that. we used to buy dog food in 45 pound bags, that's a lot. so even though his overall weight is not much different this time around, he's lost a ton of fat and replaced it with muscle. he's progressing better than expected, and my favorite thing is how fit he's becoming.

both of us have this goal of being healthy for our kids (when we have them), and having some awesome habits for them to pick up. things like, not having dessert after every dinner. when we do, having something like watermelon. how about not adding a ton of salt to your dinner, or going on family walks together? those are things we're implementing in our lives now so that we can pass them on, naturally, to our kids.

so, things are going well! how about you? what kind of lifestyle changes do you have that you're happy about? so often this blog ends up being about what we're NOT doing. tell me something that you ARE doing that is a good habit!

South Beach

Oh! Hello, there! No, I haven't forgotten about you, I just have been eating very badly this summer. I don't know why. Not so much my lunches and dinners but the snacks. Oh, the snacks...someone save me from myself.

Hopefully that's about to change since my husband's orthopedic surgeon told him he needs to lose 20 lbs and suggested the South Beach Diet. He is going to have hip replacement surgery (I know, he's only 37. Crazy) within the next 6 months or so and can't do much working out other than swimming due to that bum hip. The doctor's wife is a nutritionist and has her own diet plan which is very similar to South Beach, so he suggested we look into that (his wife's plan is one of those where you have to purchase all the food and we just can't afford that). He actually lost 50 lbs himself so that's encouraging. I already have the book (psssst, the Kindle version is only $2.99 right now!) and have been looking at it periodically. And you know what? I don't think it's going to be as hard as I originally thought.

If you would have asked me to try this diet 5 years ago, I would have laughed in your face. But now that we've been adding more fresh vegetables and fish to our diet and now that I'm no longer scared of buying produce, the first phase (which is mainly vegetables and lean meats and eggs--no carbs or fruit) that lasts 14 days doesn't look that difficult to me. It's not going to be EASY because things get old after awhile and Hubby is used to lots of sweets, but I think I can handle 2 weeks worth of strict eating. And it's not like it's taking away everything tasty. We are allowed chicken breast, fish, salads, eggs, low-fat dairy, sugar substitutes, all the vegetables we can eat except for potatoes, and even coffee (although they suggest decaff, we are NOT going there). The next phase adds in fruit and healthy carbs (whole grains and such) and then by the third phase, you should be used to eating healthy that it's more of a lifestyle now than anything. They say you quit craving the sweets after the first few days on the diet and I believe that, because I've gone on successful sugar detoxes and after the first few rough days, it gets better. The problem is falling off the wagon by going on a binge and never getting back on. So, if we can keep from doing that, then we'll be good.

The great thing about this is that there is rapid weight loss in those first two weeks and it's mainly belly fat, which both of us struggle with. Now, I know that sounds hinky and too good to be true, but if you think about it, you're cutting out all the BAD foods and eating what's healthy and right, all the great things they eat in the Mediterranean and way back before we had so much processed foods. And it's not like Atkins where you just gorge on meat and meat and meat. I just don't even see how that is healthy. What I've been reading through this book is that this is a heart-healthy diet and can help prevent diabetes. That's always a great thing!

So, have any of you tried this diet before? Is anyone interested in doing it with me? I'm not sure when we'll begin, but the sooner, the better, in my book!

starting out, not too bad

so, i don't know if i mentioned this before-- but i joined the gym at work. because my husband is working out something awesome, and i'll be damned if i let him be better than me! so it's a sort of friendly competition now. not one he knows about, but just sort of a way to keep myself accountable.

so, i'm doing it! (she said... again)

last week, i walked a lot on the treadmill-- i found a site that tells you how to be a runner. no joke, i googled it. so it gives you a gameplan. you can search for the one that fits you best, but mine was a weekly plan, where for the first week, you walk 30 minutes. then you jog 2/ walk 4, repeat til 30 minutes. and it keeps changing how you do it until you're running (jogging?) for 30 minutes straight. which is basically a 5K.

also, i tried yoga for the first time ever. it's gotta be great, right? you just lay there. there's soothing music, and you can't be held responsible if you fall asleep.
FALSE.
it's difficult. i was sweating-- sweating!-- halfway through the class. the second half was easier though, but we held the poses for about 5+ minutes each, which was weird and didn't feel like as much of a workout. husband is going to like me doing the yoga though, because it makes me feel loose and i might not ask for so many massages!
there are on-demand workout videos through u-verse tv, but i don't have a yoga mat to do them at home. and i've already discovered that doing them on a pair of towels doesn't cut it. maybe i can talk husband into getting me a yoga mat for our anniversary soon?

so, i did okay for my first week. i'll be going to the gym again today right at the end of work. it helps that i have an "accountability partner" here at work who goes to the gym and classes with me. sometimes it just takes someone asking if you're going to go. like my very own jiminey cricket.

first off, please excuse the language

and second, please read this. it's what we all need to hear, and what we occasionally tell each other. well, it's time that WE hear this. it's time i hear this.

source unknown. if it's yours, let me know and i'll credit you.

Today is Thursday

So what does that mean? Well, it's my day to blog and think and write down some goals and maybe feel guilty over all the weight I haven't been losing and all the weird/bad foods I have been eating.

Technically, I have all the time in the world to be working out, planning meals, cooking, and generally eating healthy. Is it happening though? No. I've been staying up MUCH too late, sleeping in super late, being lazy, and just writing a lot of nonsense that doesn't really mean anything to anyone in the "real world". Basically, it's been a blah summer in a town with too many workers and not enough jobs where I've been on a series of interviews and been unable to close the deal.

Truth be told, I need a routine.

I hate routine, but it is necessary to get me on track into a healthy lifestyle. With a busy school life comes structure and the need to block out 45 minutes of time for walking. If I don't block it out, it wouldn't happen and I need all the study breaks that I can get. Here and now, I'm just sitting around thinking "Oh, I could do that.... after I watch one more episode of X." And then it doesn't happen. So, it needs to happen. I need a routine. Hubby goes to the gym ever morning. I need to start going with him and walking on the treadmill. Who cares if it's boring? I need to do it, for me, for my heart, and for my sister's wedding next summer.

Yes, that's right. My baby sister turns 21 next year and is getting married to her high school sweetheart. She's such a pretty girl and a joy to the whole family. I don't want to be the dumpy matron of honor. No. I want to be the hot matron of honor who organizes an awesome shower and looks super awesome in her likely sleeveless dress for all those photos. I can do it! I will be pretty and look great in her pictures. I lost a bunch of weight for my wedding and looking back, I love how I looked. Sure, I could have lost a bit more, but overall, I think I looked pretty hot. (The mister thought I did, too --- said I was just as pretty that day as I was the day we met. Which means a lot being about 25 pounds heavier then than I was when we met.)

Additionally, I'm doing a fitness challenge with my parents. We are all going to log X-number of fitness minutes a week. When I'm working out, I'm motivated to eat healthier. I'm motivated to eat less frozen and more whole foods. I'm motivated to eat more greens and less rice. I'm motivated to eat less ice cream and more fruit. So yes, when my body feels work out, tired and just.... so good, I feel good. I eat better.

So yes, this is me consciously talking about getting back on the horse. The challenge starts Sunday. Wish me luck!

Where are you with your goals? What motivates you?

back to my "roots"

right?
guess what i'm doing later today?

joining a gym.

that's right. i'm going back to the gym. i cannot work out on my own. i don't do it. i make time maybe once a week. and now that husband's working out so much and looking hot, i don't want people to wonder how i got that hot spouse. i want them to wonder how HE got that hot spouse! so, since i'm competitive, i won't dare let him outdo me in this fitness race.

it's nice to have support at home, not just on here. and since husband's working out, he's supporting me. instead of watching a movie in the evening, we'll go for a short hike. or play in the pool (it's still activity!). or take the dog for a walk.


love.

Summer Cookin'

Summer cookin', had me a blast. Summer cookin' happened so fast... wait, what?

So, summer has ARRIVED and is in full force here in Arkansas. It's hot, sweltery (is that a word?), and makes you just want to stay inside. Unfortunately, being active outside this time of year is way more uncomfortable than during the spring and fall months. Bike riding is miserable and expect to have a soaked shirt if you want to go hiking, even at dusk. The only thing I want to do is sit in my son's blow-up pool with a cold drink in my hand.

I confess that when I lost my workout mo-jo due to my tendonitis, I REALLY lost it and haven't been active since. It was really difficult for me to commit to getting up that early and working my body and if I'm going to do that again, I have to psych myself up and need lots of encouragement. The toddler still isn't sleeping as well as he used to and has started getting up a little earlier in the mornings (mornings are already a rush for all three of us to get out the door) so I'm rethinking the working out first thing in the morning. It's also hard for me to go to the gym in the middle of work because our locker room isn't right next to our gym and I have to go in and change, go work out, go back to the locker room to change out of my sweaty clothes and then it ends up being an hour or more and I only get 30 minutes for lunch. So...excuses, excuses, I know. I'm going to try to start doing Zumba at home on the Wii because at this point, I think it's my best choice. Now, the best time to do that is still up in the air.

The good news in all of this is that I haven't gained back those 5+ pounds I lost. How I haven't is beyond me but I think it may have to do something with how active my little boy is and the stamina it takes to keep up with him. So, even though he wears me out, I guess it's good for me!

All that being said, I am currently trying to make a grocery list and since it's so DANG hot, I'm trying to figure out what I can fix just using my stove top or crock pot or broil (less time in the oven) so my whole house doesn't go up to 85 degrees during suppertime. Some things I've started making that have been good are roasted chicken in the crock pot (which stretches to two or three meals), balsamic broiled veggies with pasta, steak quesadillas with pre-made steak strips, salads with imitation crab and lots of cut up veggies, corned beef sammies (using canned corned beef and provolone on pumpernickel or rye). Most of these are low-fat and if you pair them with healthy options, then you have a well-rounded dinner.

What are your go-to summer meals? Are you doing anything active right now? What would help you get motivated to do better?

wishing gets you nowhere

haven't we learned that enough? it's true.

so i'm going to try something new. see, i'm eating healthy, that's not my problem. but that only gets you so far. my husband has been extremely motivating, what with his going to the gym 5 days a week. and working with a trainer. and losing weight. and not having cheat days except on sundays. so basically, he's kicking my butt at this "healthy living" thing. so, i'm in. if he can do it-- this man who hated to run is running, hated to get up earlier is doing so-- then i can, too. not the get up early part. i can't really give that up. not yet. BUT i do get out of work about an hour before he does, and i can work out then. i don't have the gym membership that he does, but i DO have the nike training app (i may have mentioned it before?). and it's hard. seriously. my first goal is to actually make it through one whole workout. it won't happen right away, i know that, but i'll still try.

i stopped exercising when i got sick, because i had all sorts of sicks. i was out of commission for two months, but i can't use that as an excuse forever! so i'm ready to live the kind of active lifestyle i eventually want to pass on to my kids, and as my husband already is.

it's on!

Back on the Wagon

Blogger, I'm holding out hope that you don't die again before I finish this post. And now, Twitter is all goofed up. Typical Friday the 13th, eh?

So...how's everyone doing? I did really good for about 5 weeks. I lost exercised and ate right and lost 5 pounds for my brother's wedding, which was the mental goal I had set. Then I was diagnosed with nintendonitis tendonitis in my achilles tendon. Ugh. That sure puts a damper on a workout schedule. I haven't been able to do much cardio in the past 2-3 weeks and I'm really upset about that. I had even psyched myself up to work out in the gym instead of doing Wii Active because it's a little more flexible and there are lots of different machines I can use. Plus, I hated the running so I could just do a stationary bike or elliptical. But my ankle really messed all that up.

Not only did I quit working out, but I reverted to my old eating habits. Ya know, frozen bagged food, fast food, chocolate...although I've kept my portions pretty small still. The 12-month-old has been cutting molars the PAST THREE WEEKS and I haven't gotten enough sleep or been able to take care of myself like I normally would. Sometimes, Hardees chicken strips and curlies just have to do the trick. At least my husband is supportive and encouraging and told me the other day that sometimes moms of 1-year-olds just don't have time to make a healthy dinner. No, but I'd still like to do better.

Image from here

So what can I do about this? Well, I'm getting back on the wagon. I will go grocery shopping this weekend and purchase some healthier options. Instead of letting my food run out down to the bare essentials (i.e., frozen fish sticks and tater tots), I will do better about keeping plenty of healthy snacks and meals in the house. I had quit using LoseIt for awhile because, what's the point if I'm eating way more than 1600 calories a day? I picked it back up again this morning. I also found some 3lb weights at home and I know I have an exercise ball that needs to be inflated. Even the boy will have fun playing with that! I can still play the Wii sports that burn calories (tennis, boxing, volleyball), even if I can't do much of the cardio. I still haven't tried my Zumba Fitness game and am not sure how rough it will be on my ankle but I guess it's worth a shot. Waking up at 5 AM hasn't worked well for me the past few weeks but maybe if that pesky molar ever pops through the gums, we can all get some decent rest again and I can pick back up my schedule. I can lift weights at the work gym (I even figured out my locker combination so I can keep an extra pair of tennis shoes and workout clothes there) and if I start feeling better, can get on the bike again.

Image from here

Also, it's LOVELY outside and the boy got a sandbox and a small swimming pool for his birthday so I expect lots of outdoors adventures. And the hedges need to be cut (that's a huge upper body workout). So, maybe I'll get into even MORE of my pre-pregnancy jeans by the end of summer.

I would also love to have an old school bike (the kind from the Regions commercial, not a mountain bike because I have horrible balance and am short and would rather brake with my feet). They even make little "trailers" you can hook on and tote around the kids behind you.

Have you fallen off the wagon? What do you plan to do about it? Any new, summer workout plans in the works?

A Super-Quick Slimdown for Busy [Ladies]

The original article said "Busy Moms" but I could have used this before I ever had kids. Just because a person isn't a mom yet doesn't mean they aren't busy!

I digress...

So, I read this article and it makes complete sense. It's not located online so I'm going to scan in the pages for you as PDFs and outline the basic principles.

"To see results in just five weeks, do the 18-minute routine at right three times a week, plus some other form of cardio twice a week (like walking or jogging for 20-30 minutes). select the arm and ab moves from the following pages [scanned in], and incrase the length of your cardio bursts to two minutes over time. For even faster results, do the routine twice through each time, changing your strenth and cardio picks the second time through." Parents Magazine, May 2011, Page 98.

Here's the schedule:

1 arm move
1 belly move
1-minute cardio burst. Do one of the following moves:

• jogging in place
• jumping jacks
• running up and down stairs
• jumping rope
• butt kicks
• alternating knee lifts
• leaping side to side
  (any of these sound familiar???)

1 arm move
1 belly move
1-minute cardio burst. Choose a different move from the previous list.
1 arm move
1 belly move
1-minute cardio burst. Choose a different move from the previous list.
1 arm move
1 belly move
1-minute cardio burst. Choose a different move from the previous list.

I've attached the scan of the article below. I had planned on possibly doing this in May, but I have developed tendinitis and am not sure if I can manage any of the cardio bursts. I have been using the recumbent elliptical bike at work and it doesn't seem to aggravate my ankle/calf so that's probably how I'll get my cardio. And maybe Wii boxing.

The 30-day challenge is wrapping up! Don't forget to post your progress tomorrow.

Fitness

support starts at home

alright. i had an easy week. because i spent the week lounging in bed, sipping on hot tea and watching cheesy movies on netflix.

no, i wasn't on vacation. i had strep throat. and a sinus infection. and an ear infection. so i was out of commission. and you know how you lose weight while you're sick? boy, did i ever.

i don't document my weight gains before this week. because that would be defeating the purpose. and instead of seeing a nice little step-down image on loseit!, i would see a zig-zag thingy going up and down and down and down and up and down... so when it looks like i've lost 1.2 lbs, i really lost over 3 lbs. i didn't document my lowest weight, because i figured that was just a fluke (it was. it's from being sick).

we ate pretty healthy this past week anyways, though. and i don't think THAT'S a fluke. my husband is finally really supportive of not having unhealthy snacks and stuff in the house, and he's loving the fresh grapes that are on the eye-level shelf in the fridge. do you know how much easier it is to eat healthy when your other half wants to eat healthy? yay! we've got this whole-life overhaul plan (it's not as drastic as it sounds, i promise), where we're getting healthy before we have a kiddo, so we can implant healthy ideas in his/her life, also.

so, the moral of this story? get sick. it's a jumpstart? no, wait. that's not it. life's easier with a supportive spouse. that means for everything, but especially for healthy eating.

Hoppy Easter!

See all of that? See all that candy? If I don't eat it, then he does... at least that's what I keep telling myself. I can't just THROW it OUT. No way Jose.

So... no change in weight , but honestly, it would have been a freaking miracle if I had. As a matter of a fact, I'm surprised I didn't gain 7 lbs. I've been fairly useless this week as I've had family down the whole week, and have been indulging in too much ice cream. Luckily the weather has been great, and we've gone on a few great walks, and played lots.

I'm sorry this post is so short, but It's late and I must sleep while I can. I hope you are all enjoying your Easter, and that your 30 day challenge was productive enough to keep you thinking about positive, healthy changes in your lives. Rome wasn't built in a day... or even 30!

skewed perspective

hello everyone. since leann's out of town, and i missed my post on monday, i'm stealing her day. i'm also stealing my post from our community site, because i wanted more people to read it. so, if this is old news for you, ignore it. but if it's not, comment, please.

since i missed my blog post this week (thanks, strep throat. and sinus infection. and ear infection.), i'm posting it here.

there was a news story on this past week, which made me think some horrible thoughts. a woman had a baby, and afterwards, got a horrible infection. i don't remember. staph or something. anyways, it put her in a coma. her husband had to make the terrifying decision to amputate her legs and arms. all of them. the woman is alive, and now trying to live without arms or legs. she's got hooks on the ends of her elbows, and stumps from her knees down. she's learning to walk as her daughter learns.

i think the point of the story was hope-- like, look at her, succeeding after this huge event. she could have died. she probably should have died. but she'll live, even if she has no appendages.

but you know what i got out of that story?
 
i wonder how much weight i would lose if i lost my arms and legs...

that's sick, people. sick.

so i had to remind myself of the name of this blog. it's not twitter to get skinnier, or twitter to lose weight, or twitter to get thinner. it's twitter to get fitter.

as much as we all focus on weight in this endeavor, shouldn't we look at the goodness of just being healthy? of making positive, healthy changes in lifestyle and eating habits? that, although i'm still 30 lbs from my goal (and probably 50 from my ideal weight per doctors and such), i have normal blood pressure? and am not pre-diabetic? and my rheumatoid arthritis is in remission? i'm making scones for breakfast (not TERRIBLE for you) and not eating a donut. i'm snacking on grapes (in season and cheap right now!) instead of candy or junk food.

and you know what? i bet you are, too.

here's my public announcement: this blog is about being healthy. about taking things one step at a time. i'm proud of all of you who have been losing weight, although i'm frustrated with my lack of weight loss. but you know how we're losing weight? not by downing hydroxycut, or getting on some fad diet. we're exercising. we're eating fruits. we're being fitter.

Where the heck I've been

Alright, so it's Wednesday, which is my day of the week, and I've been absent for a couple weeks, so I figured I should pop in here and explain a little of what's been going on in my life.

Two weeks ago, my mom's health took a drastic turn for the worse, she was hospitalized, and when she was released, it was decided that she qualified to enter in-home hospice. She's at home now, and we have been blessed with the most amazing group of hospice workers on the planet, but I've been very busy. For those fortunate enough to not know what hospice entails, my mom has a full team of health care workers who come into the home, doctors, nurses, CNAs, social workers, chaplains, and volunteers. I've wanted to be with her as much as possible while getting her set up in this new program, and as such, I haven't been around much here, or on our spruz site.

I've pretty much failed the 30 day challenge. I don't have time to work out daily, I haven't been to a Zumba class in 2 weeks (which I'm killing myself for, because I bought a monthly pass that I basically just threw away), and my eating habits have been atrocious. I'm stress eating like a mofo, and drinking like a fish, and truth be told, I can't be bothered to care about it. I feel like my priorities in my life just violently exploded and reorganized, I have a limited amount of energy to get through the day, and I just can't focus on more than a few important things.

I'm still around and making sure that I'm reading everyone's updates. I love hearing about all of your personal victories and watching you overcome your personal challenges. I just haven't had anything to contribute, so I haven't been posting along with you.

I know a few people have talked about what's coming up next for the next 30 day challenge, and I want you to know that I will SO be up for that once we get it organized.

Peace & <3

Week 3....

O.o - I can't even imagine why I lost any weight this week. Celebrating my brother in laws birthday, was anything but weight-loss inducing. However, It looks like the weight hasn't caught up with me yet. We'll see how things look next week.

Still keeping the body moving by playing with the boy, walking, yard-work, and housework. The weather is starting to get better, and I'm starting to feel the winter blahs slipping away! Thank goodness. For added incentive, my mother, who struggles with COPD, purchased herself a treadmill to keep her body moving. If she can get on the treadmill, and huff and puff her way through a few minutes of exercise, I had better be able to do the same. I think it might be time to pull out that stupid elliptical that I tried to sell, with no luck. Maybe someone was trying to tell me something.

This week, my in-laws are visiting, and I know we will be eating extra well because of that. They generally eat a protein, a baked potato, and salad. That is a great balanced meal for me to balance out last weeks insanity.

In saying that... we all know what next weekend means right? It means Jesus rose! He came back after three days! Right????? Yes. That is true. But in our house, it also means that the Easter Bunny will be leaving egg shaped poos all around my house, and since we all know that I have very-little-to-no-willpower, I will be eating some chocolate poos. At least a couple.

I can't wait to hear about your Easter plans. Is it Church? Is it Family Dinners? Is it Chocolate poo finding indoors/outdoors? Is it community activities? Is it going to totally blow your 30 day challenge?

Week 3 Check-In

THREE DOWN, ONE TO GO! Woot!

So, how's everyone been doing? Made any progress? Meet any goals this week?

Talk to us.

What are you plans afterward? Do you plan on continuing with your exercise regimen, or possibly changing it up a bit? Are you done after this? 
Personally, I plan to keep my momentum going. I have Zumba Fitness and I might switch that up with some of the fun sports on Wii Active (I am loving the baseball that was introduced this week, and I don't even like baseball that much). I might hit the gym some at work, but I prefer to get my workouts over with in the early morning; that seems to be working well for me. My mom has an elliptical and I may try to do that for about 15 minutes on the days when I pick up my son from her house (three days per week).

And I plan on continuing to utilize our community site. I hope you will, too. I still have goals to meet well after our 30 days are up.

Post here or write up a forum post on Spruz about the results you're seeing, how you feel, or whatever you want. Just let us know the link here in the comments.

You're doing great and are almost done with 30 days! Gives yourselves a pat on the back!

Almost There!

We're almost finished with Week 3 and will be done with the challenge before you know it!

Have you hit any snags? I felt sorry for myself this week because I haven't really seen any tangible progress even though I've completed every. single. workout. Although, when I was scratching my arm yesterday, I could feel muscle definition! And family members have told me I look like I'm losing (even if the scales say otherwise--well, my scale is currently on the fritz so I may just have to get a cheap analog to continue). My pants keep getting looser and I think I may even see a bit more definition in my waistline even if my stomach doesn't look like it's shrinking. Also, I hurt my left foot and ankle (and today, it feels like the inner muscle right below my knee is achy), so I've been glad the exercises have been fairly easy this week and not leg-intensive even though I'd like to burn more calories.

I posted yesterday on the community site that I'm getting kind of bored with my low-cal food options. However, I do go to the grocery store at some point this weekend so I'm going to see if I can vary it up a bit. Is anyone else having trouble finding healthy but tasty meals?

lack of progress

Okay! So here's what's been going on... I've been failing at working out. I have NOT however been failing at eating less and listening to my body give me clues about when it is hungry or full. I have not really lost any weight though some of my clothes are fitting a little bit differently but not much. And last week, I feel off the band wagon for working out and then when I looked for it, it was so far away I couldn't find it! But I've worked out twice this week in four days. I still count this as progress. I plan to train to walk a 5K this summer starting the first week of May or as I like to call it "The first week of summer and please don't let there be a zombie apocalypse because I really need to relax"!

So yes, besides for 2 presentations and 2 papers due this week, along with the first part of my ePortfolio for teaching that will be submitted to the state in 2 years to get my license being due next week, I'm doing well. I just BOW down to you ladies working full-time and/or going to school and/or caring after (multiple) kid(s). So kudos to you. But I guess I'm still proud of what I'm doing. Changes aren't easy and they aren't fun, but I think I should get an "A" for effort and trying, because I am certainly doing that!

week 3? already?

yes. i just reused a title from a discussion i posted in our community site.

i'm contemplating making a ginormous salad for dinner tonight. with grilled chicken on top. and cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms... all sorts of good veggies. yum.

i'm holding steady at 6 pounds lost. i consider that a win after my weekend neglect of the loseit app, beer(s), nachos, and a hot dog. no, i didn't go to a baseball game, even those are token baseball foods. i had the nachos at a bar, and the hot dog from sonic. so it wasn't a regular, plain hot dog. it was the one with sauerkraut and a little bacon. oh, and the one with peppers and pickles. so really, it was two hot dogs. so like i said, i win by staying within the weight i was on friday.

what else? like tamara, i fail at the wii challenge. but i'm staying active. and husband has been holding me accountable. he has asked me how things are going, and if i'm still doing the wii. i didn't hate telling him i wasn't, because i'm still doing the walking. not a walking plan or anything, but i'm making a point to walk the bridge at work (a mile and a half, round trip) at least once a day. i've taken to doing the stairs up two flights (really 3 because in between is a utilities floor), which does not make my thighs happy. but happy doesn't get me into a different size pants.

oh, and for dessert yesterday, husband and i had strawberry shortcake. yes, we had dessert. because you can make strawberry shortcake for under 200 calories. angel food cake has practically none, and use the light cool whip. then it's just fresh sliced strawberries and sugar!
trust me, it's the perfect summer dessert. especially now that berries are in season.

Wii get fitt-... crap.

Who's idea was this Wii 30 day challenge? Don't say it was mine, cause if it was, I would have to feel terribly guilty about the fact that I totally quit. GAH!

It comes down to the most pathetic excuse.... my children. Not only are they underfoot constantly (not unlike Hannah's and she hasn't given up yet) but they have SO MANY TOYS! In order for me to get a work out in, I have to spend 20 minutes tidying the living room first. Now... that doesn't sound that hard, but we all know I'm all about the "no housework"...... ;)

Okay, excuses aside, I have still been trying my darndest to get out and exercise. With the super uber OH-MY-GOD-HE-WON'T-SIT-DOWN busy toddler, it's not really that hard. Also, am still watching my diet VERY closely. I have been eating a grilled chicken salad everyday for lunch, and am pleasantly surprised by the results. Though only down one pound this week, I am not only 5 pounds away from my pre-baby weight!

Things I have learned since I started this 30 day challenge....

Beer is mostly vegan.

Skinny means "low fat milk, and sugar-free syrup"

Dogs would help in my exercising.... a lot.

I am not the only one who loathes running.

Kids and Wii active don't mix. At all.

Gardening is excellent exercise! I got out with a shovel and my wheelbarrow, and started moving dirt from one garden to another, and I was sweating!!!!!!

How is everyone else doing? Have you learnt anything on this adventure so far?

week 2 check in

hey everyone! how'd you do for the second week?

i ended up losing weight finally! and i have my scale at home now, so i can document my weight more accurately. i didn't keep up with the wii workouts as much as i should have (blame it on work, and my master's program...) but i still kept active. whether it was taking an evening walk to starbucks with husband for a skinny vanilla latte (only 90 calories!) or walking across campus instead of taking the shuttle, i did it. i'm blessed in that i have a job that i can wear tennies and capris to if i don't have important meetings, so i've taken advantage of that this week.

what about you? end of week 2 means we're almost halfway done!

Bored?

Maybe it's just the Week 2 slump (Week 1 was fast and furious), but I'm getting kind of bored with Wii Active 30-Day Challenge workouts. Is anyone else feeling this? I haven't skipped even one session (although Wii didn't record Monday's workout because I had to skip a few activities due to my faulty nunchuck) and the past few days I just haven't been feeling like I'm making much progress even though I replaced the nunchuck and the last workout seemed to go smoothly. Maybe I need to bump up my intensity level (I'm still on easy), but I'm afraid if I do that, it'll want me to run for longer and I already hate the running the most.

I get up at 5 AM but getting dressed, a bottle of water, and the wii revved up takes a few minutes and sometimes I don't get started good until 5:15 or 5:20. Then, I'm still running when the hubs comes in the living room after his shower and I get self-conscious.

I saw good results last week. I even tried on dresses (and bought two!) and didn't feel like a fatty, as I usually do. I feel pretty today in the clothes I'm wearing, but I'm just wondering if I'm doing enough. I'm only burning around 100-140 calories with the workouts (usually the lower end). I know I'm probably toning more than anything and that's great because I need it. I just feel like I need something more.

Any suggestions? Should I just scrap the 30-Day Challenge function of the game and customize my own workouts? Should I do Wii Zumba instead (I haven't even put this in the Wii yet to see how long the sessions are)? Or should I add in something else during the day? I don't have a lot of time and 5 AM is the best time for me but I can't leave the house due to a sleeping babe. I can probably get some walking in during lunch but it's already starting to get warm here. I do have access to a gym with a treadmill, elliptical, weight machines, etc. Does anyone have any ideas? I need help!

Are you bored, too? I know I'm not the only one having problems this week. I want to see weight loss (and I haven't lost anything this week, despite doing my workouts and eating 1600 calories or less/day) but I mainly want to get fit.

I don't like to be a quitter. I'd like to finish the 30 days and I'll probably give it another week just to make sure, but I also don't want to be doing something that's not getting me where I need to be.

How are YOU doing?

Stretching debate

When I booted up the Wii Active on sunday Ryan and Oliver were sitting on the couch playing ipad games. I was a little uncomfortable working out in front of an audience, no matter who they are. This is also why I hate doing workout classes, although it is easier in a room full of strangers than with just a single person you do know.  Anyway, as I began the workout Ryan looked up and said "wait, don't you stretch before working out?"

No, I don't. It wasn't part of the Wii Active program, and while I have added a short yoga wokout after I finish the Active workout, it honestly hadn't occurred to me to stretch before hand. When I was done with Sunday's program Ryan pulled out a couple of his workout/weightlifting books and showed me a few passages which stated that stretching before a toning workout will increase calorie burn, while also increase the effectiveness of the toning and muscle building. Hey! Great fitbytwitter post, I thought.

As I attempted to collect a few interweb sources to flesh out the post, and direct you to for further reading, I found that Google doesn't tend to agree with the above statements and, in some cases, directly refutes them with the assertion that stretching a "cold" muscle could cause injury. From what I can see the debate of "stretching before a workout yea or nay" seems to be one of those in and out of trend type things. So what say you? Do you stretch before working out or after? Or at all? Will you start now? Personally, I  feel like doing a short yoga workout following my wii active has helped to diminish some of the post-workout soreness, but I don't think I'll be adding much of a stretching routine ahead of time. Ryan persists in stretching before lifting weights.

On another note, normally I attempt to workout when M sleeps and O is doing "quiet time" in his room. A couple times however, things have not gone according to plan and I've had a little workout helper. I can tell you that jumping becomes a dicey proposition with this as my view. And he likes to try and help push the buttons during squats and when I crouch for Inline skating.


Then the Yoga routine begins and he adds some extra resistance training. This was my view during the downward facing dog. He anchored my leg to the floor nicely.



Heck, I can't touch my toes anyway, even when he's not trying to bounce on my knees.

start of week 2!

or, if you're like me, "technically" the start of week 2. meaning that i didn't do the wii on friday (don't hate. i got plenty of other exercising done), took saturday as the actual break day, and then was too busy on sunday (but husband and i DID walk the big mall in town). so, while i didn't exactly follow the wii, i still got some form of workout in.

anyways, couple of things i want to cover in today's post.

first, i can't stand my trainer. here's a few of the conversations i had with my wii this past week:

wii: alternating lunges are a GREAT way to get strong legs.

me: i don't want strong legs!

(during the inline skating)

wii: pay attention to those obstacles. know they're coming so you can overcome them.

me: dude. i know they're coming. my thighs hurt.

second, you may remember that i posted on our community site a question about what time is the best to workout. because i've been really inconsistent in my workouts, and i have my own theories. i think morning will be best because it helps wake you up. i think afternoon is best because maybe metabolism is highest. i think evening is best because you're working off the food you ate that day. anyway, i have a great husband who brought me some junk food magazines, one of which was woman's world. there's a lot of great information in there, even if there's too many exclamation points.

anyway, there's an article that talks about the timing of your workout! how lucky. so, per this article, you should workout in the morning, before breakfast. it prompts your body to use the fat for fuel, instead of using food you've recently eaten as fuel.

sidenote (which was great news)-- "clacked off on workouts during winter? great news! previously toned muscle fibers bounce back quickly, even after months of inactivity, according to research."

don't forget that our catch up is on saturdays. i know it's the weekend, but make sure to check our blog out to give your update. tell us how your week went. remember, this site is here for your support!

Week 1 Progress!

Hey! Look at that! Almost 2 lbs down! In true Tamara style, I must continue to publicly humiliate myself by posting my weight every week, in order to keep myself accountable. Not so bad really... a good push in the right direction. Anyhoo, as some of you may know, I have a relatively new child.
Sometimes I sleep, sometimes I don't... and sometimes I think I can do it all! Hurrah! Go Tamara! With no sleep. Mmmm... not so much. I got worn down, downright exhausted, and then I got sick.

SO! NEW PLAN! While I will continue to work out (cheer!) I will not diet. No sir. Gimme some cheeseburgers... (just kidding guys... that would be mean) but I will continue to keep taking in the proper amount of calories for my bod... I just really hope that the workouts, and my conscientious (balanced!) meals help me continue to lose weight like I did this week. I'm going to keep hoping.

In saying that, I did miss two work outs this week. I'm going to get back on it tomorrow... I'd hate for it to tell me to start over!

I'm really really interested in hearing about what you guys are eating (and not eating!) as we move through this challenge. Tuna and rice cakes aren't cutting it. Or special K cereal. Or boring chicken.

I'm starving. :D

check-in, week 1

so, how'd your first week go? are you staying with the program, if you're doing the wii challenge? if not, have you been being active? it's been fun to watch the conversations going on over at our community site. if you haven't checked it out, go! and you're welcome to sign up and communicate with us there, too.

i've done really well. i have been documenting my calorie intake and exercises on loseit, and having a good time staying under budget. i haven't weighed yet today (my scale is at work-- gotta change that), but look forward to seeing that i've lost a pound or a pound and a half this week. i've done my wii workout every day that i'm supposed to, except for yesterday because i was so far under my calorie budget, i didn't want to get any lower. but i'm using today's rest day to make up for that.

so, how was your week? now's your chance to update everyone!

Feelin' Groovy

I'm feelin' groovy this morning.

Slow down, you movin' too fast
You gotta make the morning last
Just kickin' down the cobblestones
Lookin' for fun and
Feelin' groovy

Hello, lampost
Whatcha knowin?
I've come to watch your flowers growin'
Ain'tcha got no rhymes for me?
Doo Bee Doo Doo,
Feelin' groovy

Got no deeds to do
No promises to keep
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morningtime drop all its petals on me...
Life, I love you,
All is groovy

Lyrics found here.

It's been a Simon and Garfunkel kinda day. And I feel groovy and fabulous and wonderful. This, from the self-professed exercise hater.

I'm on Day 5 of the Challenge and am getting up a little after 5:00 each morning to do my Wii workout. Great start to each day and I get it out of the way, first thing. Yes, I've been sore...Day 2 was BRUTAL. But, the soreness now is a good sore, the kind of sore where you know you're working your muscles but not so sore that you're in misery. On the Wii Active Challenge workouts, you run each day and although I absolutely detest running, I know it's really working my legs and all those muscles. Especially the routine where you run for a bit, do high kicks for a bit and then try to kick your behind (I can't remember what those are called but I did them this morning). I have been sore in places I've never been before (inner thighs). So, basically, I'm really enjoying the workouts I'm getting even if they are only burning around 120-140 calories each time. I know I'm going to be more toned by the end of the 30 days.

This whole program has also inspired me to cut my calories. I would like to lose 30 pounds (initially) and LoseIt has helped me create a plan that projects I can lose 30 pounds by October. I know that sounds like a long time, but it's one pound a week and that's a really healthy rate to go. Maybe by doing this Challenge and adding in a few more workouts during the week (like walking during lunch or going over to the gym to do the elliptical), I can lose a little faster. In any event, I just want to do this the right way and be healthy. I'm eating 1600 calories a day (some days a little more, some days a little less, but have been pretty good to stick to it this first week) and think that's a do-able amount. Suppers are the hardest thing for me to keep under caloric intake, but I'm gonna try to find some lower fat recipes and incorporate those into our meal schedule. I have lots of lean meats at home, I just have to lay off the cream sauces and fattening sides.

Also, I got a really cool scale for 1/4 of the price it should have been on Amazon: Ozeri Elite Series II Digital Bathroom Scale With 5" Blue Backlit Xbright LCD and InstaOn Technology. It's still half-price and if you use the code SHAPEUPI (not sure if it still works, you might want to check before submitting the order), you get another 50% off! Since it is $25 before the coupon discount, you get free super saver shipping, but you have to make sure you select that option in the check-out. Basically, I got a $50 scale for $12.50, shipped! Just wanted to pass that along to you.

So, how's everyone doing? Weekly check-in is tomorrow and you can share what you feel like sharing. We just want to know how thing are going!

Our 30 Days!

Habits are hard to break, but easy to form. So if I create a new good habit should be easy and it should stick, right? Well, so far... yes! Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday... yes! Since this is going up before I'm up for the day on Thursday I'm going to bet I'll still work out. I think the hardest part of the work out is my mental attitude about 2/3 of the way through. I start to hurt and get tired and then I'm just ready to stop. But once I'm done with the work out and back to relative normal (not sweating like crazy) everything is much better. I feel like I could have/should have gone longer. But I'm bumping up to 2 miles on Monday we'll see that goes. Overall this wasn't so bad. I'm ready to keep going.

Also, if you're interested I'm tracking my activity and calories on Spark People. Feel free to add me as a friend. I like it better than Lose It! because for me it's easier to use, but they are essentially the same thing. An added bonus to Spark People is the point system where you get points for signing in every day and virtual trophies. You also can set goals and track them on the site. There are recipes and blogs and other inspirational tools. I also have my measurements posted on our Spruz site. So check it out!

Welcome to the Challenge!

So, we're three days into the challenge, and I hope everyone out there is doing great! I know I'm feeling fabulous. I, myself, (as I posted on the spruz site) am doing a bit of a modified challenge. I attend Zumba classes two or three days a week, so I made myself a little deal. If I go to a Zumba class, I don't have to do a Wii Active workout in addition. For me, the goal is really to workout every day for at least 20 minutes, (longer if time allows, but 20 is my absolute, barebones minimum). I either Zumba, Wii Zumba, or Wii Active every day.

In addition, I've set a few extra goals for myself, too.

I can do anything for 30 days. For the next 30 days, these are the things I will do EVERY day.

1. Wii Active 30 Day Challenge -OR- Zumba. Every Day. No exceptions.
2. Blog - at least one entry, no matter how long or how short. I have to post something.
3. Drink 2 Nalgenes of water.
4. Drink one vitamin packet or one nutritious smoothie. (I can't take vitamins in pill form, they mess with my stomach something awful and vitamins in gummy form have gelatin, which isn't vegan.)

Weekly, these are my goals:

1. Attend AT MINIMUM, two Zumba classes every week. More, if possible. (Sometimes my work schedule doesn't align with the studio's schedule).
2. Post my Wednesday blog to Twitter // Fitter (okay, I like the shorter name, honestly. Easier to type...because I'm lazy).
3. Post my Teatime Tuesday blog to my personal blog. I started it and failed right away...oops.

So far, it's going good! I'm maintaining my goals. I've gone to Zumba twice so far, and I'm going again tonight. I've been drinking so much water that I feel like I have to pee every 15 minutes. (TMI?) And, I've been writing again, forcing myself to sit down at my computer and put words on the page in the hopes that I'll beat the writer's block that has several of my current projects at a standstill.

So how are YOU doing with your goals?

Perspective and numbers

Day 2 of the Wii Fit challenge, and I bumped up the intensity. Yesterday I started off on low, I wasn't sure what to expect and, while there were a few exercises that pushed me a little, it wasn't the workout I was hoping for. I only burned an estimated 76 calories. Today I moved it up to medium (hey, I'm still in really bad shape and haven't worked out in MONTHS) and burned 136 calories. It seemed like such a small number to me, so I did some quickie google research this afternoon.

136.

One pound of fat is the equivalent of 3500 calories. 3500.

My 136 is barely a drop in that bucket.

To lose 1 lb a week you need to have a 500 calorie a day deficit. So, either exercise off 500 calories, cut 500 calories worth of food out of your diet, or a combination of both. Of course you burn calories just during the course of the day, powering everything that you do, and you can find your baseline for that also known as your Basal Metabolic rate here. For me, with my Basal Metabolic rate, that's cutting the equivalent of 2 full days of food out of my diet. Yeah I like thinking of things in random and overwhelming terms like that.

I am not really going anywhere with this, just that I am happy you cam break it up, eating 300 fewer calories and working out/burning 200 seems much more do-able. I just thought I'd share since the numbers were a bit surprising to me.

Also, does anyone have a tasty (organic? All natural?) protein bar they want to recommend. I have been craving protein after working out these last few days.

foods that help you lose weight

(unlike tamara, i'm not posting my measurements on here. if you want to find them, they're hidden over at our spruz community site. so, find them at your own risk.)

so, how'd your workout go? it started today, remember? don't forget to check out (and join!) our community, found here. check in often, reply to threads, post pictures... consider yourself an integral part of this challenge! because honest, without all of you out there, i wouldn't be participating. well, the "badges" that you earn through wii active help motivate, too :-)

i thought about doing my exercise right after work. i figured i don't have a kid or other obligations, so i'd just have a lazy morning, then do it tonight. nope. i did it early. REALLY early. usually my husband is the only one who wakes up at this time, and i roll out of bed an hour later. but i figured if i could work out while he is in the shower, then i miss that embarrassing time when he has to watch me flail around like an epileptic monkey. so, from about 5:45 until a little after 6, i did my day one challenge. and all i can say is, "woah". it's been a year since i worked out, and even the easy one kicked my butt. i can't WAIT until next week, because i know i'll be doing better by then.

now, as nice as it is that we're all (finally?) getting active, that doesn't mean you can eat whatever you want. below i've listed foods that help you lose weight, as taken from the nest:

grapefruit-- steadies blood sugar levels, acts as a diuretic.

green tea-- only helps weight loss if you drink 5-6 cups a day!

hot peppers-- decrease cravings for other foods, and increase metabolism.

water-- increases the efficiency of your metabolism.

broccoli-- lots of fiber, your body has to work harder to digest it.

greek yogurt-- helps digestion, lots of protein for the low fat and calories!

lean protein-- increases metabolism..

happy challenge!

So it STARTS

I had waffles for breakfast.


Waffles make me THIS size:

Bust: 39.3 (I'd like to thank breastfeeding for this little boost.)

Chest: 35.4

Waist: 35

Hips: 46 ( baby got back.)

Midway: 43 (Oh love handles.... )

Thigh: 26

Knee: 16

Calf: 15.6

Upper Arm: 11

Forearm: 9.3

Height: 5'8

Weight: 179

Size: 14/16


Also, babies helped.

I'm really excited guys... I can't wait to get started, and start to feel better. It really is the perfect time... Summer is coming! There are balls to be kicked, babies to be walked and boys to swim with (in a bathing suit!) and I can't think of any better reason to just get on with it. What are your reasons for doing this?

Looking forward to tomorrow!!

Tamara

Are You Ready?

Our Wii Get Fit in 30 Challenge starts Monday! Have you seen our community? If not, go check it out! Create a profile, post some fitness goals, and interact with the members. Together, we can work toward a healthier life.

If you haven't already taken your measurements, check out Hannah's post. I just took mine. *winces* It wasn't pretty, but I fully expect to lower those numbers by the end of April. If you are nosy curious, go dig around on our spruz site and see if you can find them (not gonna post them here). I feel better knowing my friends posted theirs and we can all support each other with encouragement and motivation.

If you still need Wii Active, they sell it at Wal-mart. Go by your local store or order it online. They usually have quick shipping. Or if you don't like Wal-mart, go to Target. Or your local used game store. And if you don't have a Wii at all, no worries! Just try to fit in about 15-20 minutes of activity each day. We'll do our best to guide you.


We'll also be posting every day of the week on how we're doing in the challenge. Saturdays will be check-in day. If you'd like to sound off in the comments and post your progress, we welcome that! If you have any questions, let us know and we'll do our best to help.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must clean up my living room floor so that I can actually have space to do the workouts (at 5:00 AM no less, can I get some love?).

Weight gone, bring on the tone.

In February last year I wrote this post, including photos, and measurements of the "before" version of me.

Since we are starting this 30-day wii active challenge I thought I would go ahead and and post an update. the weight is gone, I am down to 125, but still have a way to go along the lines of muscle tone and overall health.

This is a repost of how/where to measure, my original measurement (in inches) and then the new measurements as of last night.


1. Bust: measure all the way around your bust and back right at your nipple line, and make sure the tape measure is not lower.
41 - 38

2. Chest: Measure under your breasts but as high up as you can go, keeping the tape measure parallel. This is probably also your bra band size.
33 - 31

3. Waist: Measure wherever it is the smallest/the navel
34 - 30

4. Hips: Measure at the very biggest part -- even if that is so low that you are almost on the top of your thighs.
38 - 36.5

5. Midway: Measure midway between the very biggest part of your hips and your waist.
40.5 - 36

6. Thighs: Measure wherever they are the biggest.
24 - 21

7. Knees: Measure right above the knee.
16.5 - 14.5

8. Calves: Measure wherever they are the biggest.
14 - 13.5

9. Upper arm: Measure wherever they are biggest above your elbows.
11 - 10.5

10. Forearms: Measure wherever they are biggest below your elbows.
8.5 - 9 


As you can see I've lost as many as 4 inches in some areas and gained 1/2 an inch in others. I can only assume that forearm gain is due to hefting the little one around all day long. the numbers I would most like to see shrink? The upper arm, thighs and the "midway." I hear that Wii active is really good for the toning so I am excited about that! 


Edit: I tried to take a few pics but they aren't transferring from my camera. I'll try an update this when I get that done. 


Ok, pics have been added. 

we wii in a week!

haha. i love my title.

so, everyone ready? like tamara introduced yesterday, we're starting the wii active 30-day challenge next week. i'll start on monday, because sunday is a full day for us here in the slay household.

don't have a wii? get one.

don't want to get one? that's fine! but do something active with us.

if you're not familiar with the wii active 30-day challenge, here's what happens:

you log on and select your difficulty level. i HIGHLY recommend the easy one. seriously. 

every day, you do exercises. wait. i lie. it's not every day. it's like, two or three days on, then you get a rest day. but the days you're exercising, boy are you exercising. you're running. you're doing squats. you're punching.

but i haven't felt good since the last time i did a 30-day challenge, so i'm definitely looking forward to it.

now, all involved: post about it on your personal blog, would ya? most of us have personal blogs. tell the world about it. get your followers to follow us and do this activity with us. let's not be greedy with our healthy activities, yeah?

later this week, expect to see some changes on this blog. a new background, new header, and a button that you can share with your followers, too. let's get the word out. i want an exercise revival, of sorts.

i need it.

30 Day Challenge

Hi everyone!, *waves*

Long time no see! Hey, hey! Look!


A baby! -------->


So - now that I've got the whole pregnant/newborn thing out of the way, and have passed my 6 week check up with flying colors, I figure it's time to get rid of these last ten pounds of baby fat!!! Okay, okay...also I should get rid of the 30 other pounds I'm packing around as well... but one step at a time, right?

I had great success with my Wii Active last time around, and lucky for me, most of my #fitbytwitter buddies now have one too! I think we've all decided that now is the perfect time for a Wii Active, #fitbytwitter, 30 day Challenge!

You don't have Wii Active you say, dear Twitter to get Fitter readers? Well... that's ok, here's a link to buy one!

http://www.walmart.ca/Video-Games/Nintendo-Wii/Sports/EA-Sports-Active-Bundle-Nintendo-Wii (Canada)
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=wii+active&ic=48_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0 (US)

But really, I don't need you to shell out the big bucks. Wii active really just pushes you to spend 15-20 minutes daily (some days for rest!) working out and building muscle. No big whoop right? You can do that by running up and down your stairs! And that is exactly what I want you to do... take 15 minutes a day, do some sort of activity, and let us know what you did in the comments section of our daily blog posts...

So that leads me back to my #fitbytwitter posters... clearly I have a hard time remembering to post, HOWEVER, I am willing to promise to get my weekly post in here while we are doing the challenge... I am the last person to be asking this, but will everyone else post too? Even just a tiny blurb with a place for our followers to tell us how wonderful they did that day? If we have to fill the empty days with a silly post (OMG that is the cutest picture of a kitty EVER) just to have a post, I say we should do it.

Also, it is to my understanding that some of the more "technologically equipped" of our #fitbytwitter crew will be creating a community for us to all chat on... post our goals, our accomplishments, and to give us a place to give each other a big "HECK YEAH" as we proceed! I love "HECK YEAH"s. Also, I hate quotations because I'm unsure where to put the "S" in that little endeavour. Anyhow, I digress.

If I'm missing anything, I'm hoping the others will fill in the blanks. I look forward to starting this little challenge next weekend...

I'm totally lying. I'm scared stiff... HOWEVER, I look forward to toned arms and my skinny jeans. So. Ya. Let's do this.

Time-Constrained Fitness

You know how I was supposed to lose weight for my brother's upcoming wedding? Well, I have ONE month left. And I haven't even gotten started. Although my scales keep telling me I'm losing weight, I don't feel as if I am. Honestly, I think the thing is broken. It's giving me false hope. My clothes still fit the same. So, unless some things have shifted around, I'm just going to assume the scales are wrong (they're telling me I only have about 7 pounds to go to get to my pre-baby weight and that is an outright LIE because my hips, belly, and arms are all much bigger than pre-conception).

So, what is a girl who has no free time to do? I have a brand, spanking new Wii but no Wii Active or whatever the workout programs are. I have the standard Sports that came with it, so do you think that would help me tone up some? My arms need major help, even though I'm toting around a 20-lb kid every day. I'd like to get the Zumba game but don't know if I have time to do it. Any advice for toning up in a month's time. I don't want to loathe myself when I go dress shopping...

How's everyone else doing on their goals for the year? Failing like me?

one step at a time

i lost 0.6 pounds this week. hey, it's something, right?
no thanks to the meatballs, sour cream dip, chocolate chip cookies, and homemade bread from last night.

i've been debating joining the gym here at work again. i quit it when we moved into a complex with a gym here, thinking i'd save money-- but i never go. it's like, if i pay for it, i actually go. really, i went almost daily when i paid for the work gym before. plus, my days are shorter than my husband's days, since i work through lunch, so i could leave and work out for an hour before we go home. AND, we're moving in a month and a half to a new complex that doesn't have a gym.

i think i'll start with walking more first. i have a hard time walking long distances because of my ankle (why i love the stationary bike), but i think i could do a mile just fine. plus, i really feel like i've been using my ankle as an excuse, so i haven't been as active. and it's no excuse. i need to still do something to be active.

so. in short, my goals this week:

• wii three times. hard core. boxing, running. that kind of wii. not super mario brothers.
• walk a mile (across the bridge and back) once. twice, if the first time feels okay.
• lose another pound (or so).

 that's it for my boring, scatter-brained, picture-less post.

one week-- right!

i don't even know how many times i've said i'm back. but really. once you stop trying is when you really fail. isn't there a quote like that out there? anyways, leann said recently that it's about changing so much more, and that's true. i can't tell you how great things are in my overall life right now. money's going alright. we're maybe moving to a new place to be able to put some in savings. and, like leann, i'm doing the 30-day challenge on encouraging your husband. god is so good.

so, i guess the next place i need to keep working is at my fitness. and darlings, as much as i talk about wanting to be fit, right now my motivation is weight loss. i'm currently more than i've weighed in about a year or so. blame it on stress from school, or work, or whatever. but blaming doesn't help my jeans fit better. you know what does? watching what i eat. taking a walk during lunch. yeah. that.

so, i've faithfully used the loseit app on my phone for all of last week.

and i did good! as much as it looks like i'm under, i'm sure it's much closer to being on target. i try to document correctly, but when there's three options for "apple", how do i know i'm picking the right one? the good thing about at least writing it all down is that it keeps me accountable. i don't eat whatever i want, then write it down. if i did that, every day would be red. instead, i bring cupcakes for a work meeting, but don't eat any. i choose water over calorie-filled beverages. and i eat breakfast. that's a big one for me.

anyways, i know this post wasn't full of inspiration, or even a recipe, but i just wanted you all to know i'm back. and instead of not documenting my weight because i'm ashamed of it, i'm writing it down now. so if you follow me on twitter, i didn't actually gain 7 pounds in a week. i just hadn't written it down in so long. but it's time to be honest, and follow through!

i need to start walking.

Well, I'm Back.

Sorry for my extended absence; I've had a few things going on personally. But, it doesn't look like I'm the only one, at least, who has missed a few posts, so I don't feel so badly.

 Well, what can I say? I've been trying to work out more often, and I have to say, I've been failing pretty miserably. I will say this, though. We got Zumba for the Wii, and oh my heck! It's a blast, and it will kick my booty. I used to go to a local Zumba class regularly, but then my schedule got switched around at work, and I haven't been able to go for months. The game is a good substitute, but I really miss the girls and the energy of my class. In two weeks, my schedule changes at work again, and I've already made arrangements to start going 2 days a week with one of my friends. She's a good Zumba-Addict, and I know that she'll drag my ass to class with her, come hell or high water! Which is good, because sometimes, I need dragging! Has anyone else out there done Zumba?

In fun news, I got a heck of a shock when I stepped on the scale. I'm down 5 more pounds! And, it's starting to show. Even my dad commented that he could tell that I was losing weight. I'm trying not to step on the scale too often. I feel things fitting better, so I know I'm losing inches, and that's good enough for me. What's funny though is, as previously stated, I've been sort of failing on the working out side of things. I can't wait to see my progress when I start getting my act together and get back to Zumba class - I'm sure it'll be exactly the boost my body needs to kick the metabolism back into high gear!

So...how are YOU doing with your fitness goals?

remember when?

remember when i worked out on a regular basis? and had way more energy than i do now? and weighed 15 pounds less than i do now?

remember when i used to be diligent in counting my calories using the loseit app, and a splurge meant one hershey's kiss instead of a bag (yes, a whole bag) of totino's pizza rolls?

remember when my breakfast was actually treated as the most important meal of the day? and i had energy for the whole morning?

it's time to go back to those changes. you'd have thought that these last four weeks would jump start that, but with husband being off track, it makes me be off track, too. so we bought more fruits and veggies for snacks this weekend, and i hope to cook dinner on a more regular basis. we've been eating out lately, which is bad for my wallet AND my waistline.
here's to new beginnings.

The Road to Healthy Eating

I actually have a progress report this week. Last Saturday, I bought groceries. I got a LOT more produce than I normally get: two bags of baby carrots, some bell pepper to cut up for snacks, a bag of oranges, some apples, some bagged salad, fresh mushrooms for roasting, among other things. I also bought all whole-grains and all lean means: a large bag of tilapia, shrimp, lean pork chops. I bought substitutions for more healthy quick-meals for weeknights and lunches: whole wheat tortillas for steak quesadillas, whole grain buns for BBQ, whole wheat pasta for shrimp arrabiatta, lots of steamed veggies, low-fat canned soups, etc. I also bought a ton of healthy snack options: low-fat granola bars, fat free yogurt, hummus to go with the carrots and bell pepper. I also got brave and bought some almond milk--not a huge fan but it works in my cereal. The almond aftertaste is a little daunting.

I spent a lot of money but got enough to last us two weeks. And I spent about the same amount as I normally spend. But I went to Kroger and I usually can find some really good deals and utilize their sales combined with their coupons and come out really well. Here's a breakdown of what my day of eating usually looks like:

Breakfast: cereal with almond milk
Morning snack: fat free yogurt
Lunch: lean cuisine and carrots with hummus
Afternoon snack (if hungry): orange
Supper: Regular supper but smaller portions since I'm not starving from all the snacking during the day
Drinks: water and a little bit of coffee

I'm doing SO much better with my portion sizes. I have not gorged myself (really, this is a huge step forward) once this week. I even leave food on my plate. One night, I was craving ice cream, so I just bought the little bitty tub of Skinny Cow low-fat ice cream. It was a very small, single-serve tub and just enough to give me a chocolate fix. I haven't eaten much sugar at all this week. Mostly, just in my cereal (Honey Nut Cheerios or Cocoa Puffs--I usually don't eat Cocoa Puffs but some days I just want something chocolatey). Yoplait has so many great yogurt flavors that I feel like I get a treat every time I eat one. At first, the hummus was a little peculiar but it's growing on me.

I still need to eat more veggies at suppertime, but it's been one of those weeks when I'm lucky if I get supper on the table before the baby's bedtime. I'll try to do better next week. I think I may cook fish tonight and I'll pop in a bag of veggies if so and maybe some brown rice. Maybe not even any carbs at all.

Honestly, I'm not craving junk food like I did. I'm not have the ravenous chocolate withdrawals like I used to. I can't say that I've lost any weight or that I feel GREAT yet, but I know I'm on the right track. Now, if I could just get some exercise in. Tomorrow will be a lovely day in the high 60s, so I may take the baby out for a brisk stroll. I'm sure he'd love to get out of the house, as would I. I want to try to go to bed earlier and get up a little earlier and do my workout DVD. That's my next goal. That, and continuing to buy healthier foods. If I have to buy snacks for my hubby, then I'll get stuff I don't like. That way, I'm not even remotely tempted to eat it.

How have you all been doing?