Likewise

Like Jocee, I too had a hard week. I found no motivation with a sick baby, a teetering on the edge maybe sick mommy, pure laziness, and my back going out to cause a lot of pain for a day. I did not work out as consistently as I would like. So, yesterday I looked up some articles to do with fitness.

This first article is exactly what I needed to hear. This second article made me realize that I have no excuse to not work out. So today, I prayed for strength and the resolve to get out of bed before my husband and baby girl work up. I did it and I actually felt alert. Then I warmed up, I didn't know what to do for a routine, so I just did what I learned in PE. Jump roping (I knew that before PE), push-ups, sit-ups, then I lifted some weights. Finally, I got to my biking routine. I worked hard and I feel great!

Now I just need to remember that feeling to get up early every day to be invigorated, alert, and ready to take on the day.

Oh, what a week...

I have had such a hard time this week to get motivated to do anything. As I was telling my hubby last night, I just feel blahhhh. I don't want to run, I don't want to eat right, I just want to sleep and eat lots of sugar! I don't know what is causing this, because the last few weeks I've been so excited to do anything and to get moving. I would like to blame the change in the weather. On Monday when I went out to run, it was 27 degrees outside! Today, the high is supposed to be 60! I'm supposed to go run today, and I'd better get it done.

(This is what I'd like to be doing!)

Well, I hope your week is going a little more pumped up then mine! Good luck! I hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Monday, Week 4!

Can you believe it's been 4 weeks since I started this?!?!?! I saw that and thought "I'd better get my butt moving!". I'm really interested in seeing if I've made any progress on my journey. I've been trying to lose this weight, but I still struggle.

 This weeks goal.... NO EATING AFTER 7 P.M.!  I know, it can be hard. I find myself eating with Zorn when he gets home, but if I'm not careful, I can quickly go over my calorie intake for the day. (As I just finished eating a DQ Raspberry Truffle Blizzard). They say that the reason to not eat after 7 p.m. is because people have often eaten all their calories for that day. So, I'm going to put this into effect for me, starting tomorrow! I promise I will do this for the week. Please try this with me, and get back to me as to how you've done!

Oh, and my big HURRAH! I ran the full mile without stopping on Saturday! I was so proud of myself! I believe this week I am going to be upping my mile to a mile and a half. So we'll see how that goes!

Have a great week!

A little late in my Thursday posting!

Wow, I really did mean to post yesterday, and my day just kind of slipped away!
My biggest HURRAH for the week... On Monday I went to run my usual mile. I usually have to walk a lap and then run a lap, etc... well, Monday, I ran two full laps without stopping! I was so proud of myself. I know for most people that doesn't sound like much, but for me it was a pretty big freakin' deal! Well, yesterday, I went to run my mile and thought how proud I was for running the two laps without stopping, and I gave myself a challenge to make it three laps without stopping.... I DID IT! I was so excited! But, when it came time to run my final lap to make it my mile, my legs did not want to budge, and I almost gave up, but I knew I had to do my mile.

I have actually been looking forward to my runs. It's weird, because I absolutely HATE running! I'm not very fast, and get quite bored when I'm running because it takes me so long to get past anything! Well, for some reason, I've been enjoying listening to my music and just not thinking about anything. I usually go to our High School here and run around their track. It's convenient, and free, and I can take my kids if I need to and let them run while I push my baby in the stroller.

Well, I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

I Hiked!

I did it! I hiked up a mountain and almost the whole way! I had thoughts of my imminent death as I slowly, but consistently worked my way straight up to my goal. The 'Y' on a mountainside in Provo, Utah. Regretfully, and somewhat thankfully, I did not get to the 'Y.'  My baby bear, that was strapped to my back, threw up on the both of us, so we made a hasty retreat down the mountain.

Thanks www.heraldextra.com.

I am thinking of starting a once-a-month hike.  Though the hike will not include scaling a mountain, until I feel ready for it. But, even today's adventure helped me to feel as if my muscles are three times larger and that I lost 5 pounds in sweat and shaking. Um yeah, I think I'll stick to my exercise bike or kick boxing for the rest of the week.

Oh, Monday... Week 3!

 I was talking to my sister about things that remind us of this time of year. My son asked me the other day to make a Halloween dessert that I had made last year and thought it would be fun to do as a annual Halloween dessert. (I'm not going to post it because I don't think it's very healthy). But with that, I was brought to my Mom's favorite treat to make during Fall. It is a pumpkin cake that has raisins and homemade cream cheese frosting. It's my favorite! We were discussing how foods can bring you back to a time in your life. So many occasions we have this time of year with so much food. We live in a world that has evolved our holidays to food and candy! It's funny to think about how many party's we go to that are all around food. I know I don't have a party without making treats. In fact, most Sundays I make a sugar snack just to have in case people come over or to take as a treat to someone else.
On a side note, I did go running on Saturday. I was only able to make it running 2 laps and a half, and I walked the same amount. I think Sunday's should be a day of rest, so I didn't do any exercising. I am surprised at how much I think about exercising now. We just found out that my family is moving to Las Vegas, and I've already decided to join a gym!

Steep Hill

My husband and I splurged to buy this bike a few months ago.
We got it so we could keep working out when there is snow outside.
 This is what I use to get me in shape.

Thanks to www.itsaboutexercisebikes.com for the image.

I have biked each day this week. I bike for 30 minutes. The highest level a 10 and with many hills. I like to watch my RPMs: 60 or above and my Calories: 200 and above. My average has been 230 calories each bike ride. I love the riding. It wakes me up in the morning. I am sweaty. I push myself. I feel good.

I  like to 'change up' my work out routine. If I feel like a change I use a Fat-Burning Kickboxing movie I have and love. (I watched a lot of work out videos. They are not created equally. This one doesn't grate on one's nerves, or confidence). I go jogging, occasionally. I am thinking of bringing out the jump rope. 

In the food department,  I am trying to eat less. I eat until I feel that 'slightly full' sensation. I stop eating immediately. Leaving the rest of the food for my husband to finish. (What a good deed!) I feel good for not gorging myself. I also feel good about the service I am doing for my hubby :)

I feel great this week!  I am looking forward to a hike this weekend. I'll let you know about it.

Calorie Counting

I have been introduce to a new website for calorie counting. I just enrolled yesterday (it's free) and am impressed with what's available to users. I know that the only way I'm going to lose this weight, is with counting my calories. Sometimes, I don't like to know what I'm taking in- I figure, ignorance is bliss! But, with all kidding aside, this website has been pretty easy to use:
 http://www.caloriecount.com/

I'm not getting paid to promote them, or anything like that. I'm just suggesting something that I'm trying.

Good news, I have gone running twice this week. Boy, am I feeling it! I tried to run a full mile, but ended up just running 1/2 a mile and walking 3/4. I am going to use the track so that I can walk a lap and run a lap.
I hope you're all keeping on track!

Week 2... and a new member!

I didn't do to well over the weekend. I didn't exercise much, although I did try to take the stairs instead of using the elevator. I tried to watch what I ate, but I didn't eat the healthiest. It was my son's birthday, so I had pizza and cake one night. The next night I had my favorite food, Pork burrito from Cafe Rio... This week I will try to do better.  I did work out Monday through Thursday, so at least I did that.

This week I'd like to challenge you all to change your sweet snacks to healthy snacks. I have tried to do this challenge this last week. I bought a bag of carrots and celery, and as soon as I had a few minutes, I cut them all up into sticks to snack on. My kids were very excited about this and have been eating them as well. Don't get me wrong, I still LOVE my sweets, but at least I feel that I'm teaching my kids to eat healthy.

I'm so excited to be having Megan come on and do this challenge with us as well. Megan and I are cousins (she's Malea's sister) and we've always been friends.  I'll let her do a introduction of herself and what she's like to get out of this.

P.S. I will be posting every Monday and Thursday, and I will try to issue a challenge on one of these days. Malea and Megan will be posting on other days then these.

Introduction

Hi! I am Malea. I am a mother of one girl who is 8 months old. In my past, and present, I have struggled with the 'weight issue.' I was told as a youngster that I was just 'big boned.' Yet, when I played volleyball in high school I soon found that I could look good. I could be in shape. I could love my body.

Before I was married, my sister, mom, and I worked with a personal trainer. Since my volleyball days, that was the best shape I have been in. I felt good. I did not crave sweets. I craved fruit and healthy food. I was fitting into a size 6. I realized that I had always imagined my body bloated and huge, when in reality, I wasn't.  I received compliments at work, I had to cinch up my 'big pants.' It was a glorious feeling. Then I was married and shortly thereafter, pregnant. I gained a literal, ton. Returning to my prior negative about my body-type self. I also dealt with, and am still dealing with post-partum depression. I went to visit my doctor about it. He said I could take meds, or get off of lots of heavy carbs (bread/pasta) and work out. He said the effects of the pill would take a month or two to kick in. To work out and cut down on carbs? Maybe a few weeks. I opted for the lifestyle change. When I work out, it is not only for my shape and image. It is also for my hormonal/mental health.

Now-a-days, I am still packing that after birth weight. I work out almost every day (not yesterday, Saturdays or Sundays) yet I have not seen any improvement. So when I saw Jocee putting herself out there, I felt the drive to do the same. I need to know my numbers so I can see improvement. So I will be motivated to push harder when I work out.  I realize that just like 'anyone can cook,' anyone can get in shape. Therefore, I am resolved to lose.

Here is a song I listened to while jogging that I liked to think about in terms of 'inch loss.' A tribute for all you Nick Lachey fans. My resolution: "I'm letting go (of all this weight). All I need to learn is down this road. I just want to be the best woman I can be. Breathe. That's my resolution." Listen here and enjoy.

My goals: Reach size 8 pants (fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes with ease-I didn't buy many size 6 clothes as I wasn't that size for too long).

Get rid of bubbling over belly fat.

To crave fruit and to feel 'in shape' instead of like a log.

Have non-bulging arms. 

Before when I realized that I looked good.

Now where I feel "blah."

My measurements:
Neck: 12.5"
Chest: 39"
Waist: 37.5"
L Arm: 14.5"
R Arm: 14.5"
Hips: 40"
L Leg: 23"
R Leg: 24"
L Calf: 16"
R Calf: 16"
Ugh!

My methods: Whenever I feel fat - work out.
Employ the following work out routines: bike and weights, jogging, kick boxing, and/or jump roping for at least half an hour each day (excluding Sundays).

My measurements....

I totally slacked with getting my measurements in, so I will do it today. Also, I would like to welcome Malea to my program! I'm so excited to have someone else do it with me, and put it out there.
Neck: 13.25"
Chest: 40"
Waist:: 46"
L Arm: 13"
R Arm: 13"
Hips: 43 1/2"
L Thigh: 24"
R Thigh: 24"
L Calf: 15"
R Calf: 15"

I Hate these measurements!!! What the crap! When did I get this big?!
Here's to losing it!