Giving Thanks

It was such a joy to jog with Jocee and my sisters over the Thanksgiving holiday. On the trip, I was given an exercise ball and some ball weights. My hubby and I have been amazed by the workout we get with these seemingly simple ball exercises. Crunches are easier to do, yet are felt more rapidly. Push ups are a joke, but it is incredible to accomplish a few. The balance training, I couldn't think of a better method. I am grateful that only my husband sees me attempt to balance, but over time I know I will improve dramatically with a body to prove it. Who wouldn't want that?

Also, I saw a photo of me on a family member's blog and I am was aghast. I suppose I finally saw myself as my chunky self. It was a true wake up call for me to work out harder to lose the chunk. So, if you need further motivation, have a family member take a photo of you and post it on their blog. I certainly worked for me. :)

Such a crazy weekend!

I had such a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! I was proud of myself for not eating too much (of course it helps when you don't like most of the food served!) I had such a fun time with all my family!

 On Saturday morning, I had the chance to go running with Malea (the other blogger) and two of her sisters, my cousins! We had such a fun time, well, at least I did! We did 2 1/2 miles, it was by far my longest run, but most enjoyable. I was laughing when I showed up in shorts and a t-shirt, and they were in pants and hoodies. (In their defense, it was 9 degrees outside when I had left Beaver on Thursday morning! I figured no snow, no pants!) It was such a good run and it really kicked my butt. I hadn't been running in two, almost three weeks! Thank you so much girls!

 My best news... I fit into my size 9 pants!!! I have a favorite pair of jeans that I haven't been able to wear in about 3 years. Yesterday, I decided to brave it and try them on, just to see how much further I had to go to get them on. I was completely surprised and ecstatic when I got them on, and done up! I was so excited, I called my sisters to tell them!! I'm such a dork, but it was quite an exciting thing for me. I'm seeing some progress. They don't look great, but they fit and I could wear them to our friend's house for dinner last night. So funny how little things can just make our day!

Thanksgiving Week!

So starts the week that I've personally been dreading! I do not know how to stop eating! I LOVE food! I LOVE ham (I do NOT like Turkey), mashed potatoes, gravy, peas, and pie. My mouth is watering at the sounds of these foods! Oh, I do dread this Holiday. So my goal this Thursday is to stop eating when I'm feeling full. I will not keep eating. It's going to be so hard, but I've got to do it. Also, I will be spending the holiday in sunny St. George, so I'm going to try and go running while I'm there. It's so hard to exercise when you're surrounded by family, the last thing you want to do is leave them to go workout. I may even make my sisters go with me so I have workout buddies!

I hope you all have a GREAT Thanksgiving! I will not be posting Thursday since I will be away and it's a Holiday!

Lettuce Wraps

 I need some healthy foods to feed my family. I make a menu every week, and follow it pretty close. I just struggle coming up with things to make. So, I will give you my version of Lettuce Wraps that I have made up! These are soooo good, even my kids like them!

Ingredients:
1 Head of Iceberg lettuce (you have to use these to wrap around your food)
3 Chicken Breasts
1 Large Green Bell Pepper
1 Large Red Bell Pepper
1 Large Onion
1 bottle of Mandarin Sauce from Panda Express
Enough White rice to feed your family

I like to slice the chicken and veggies into thin strips like you would for fajitas. Then, brown your chicken. Add the veggies to browned chicken and add just enough of the mandarin sauce that it coats it. Let simmer until veggies are tender.

Now, wash your lettuce. Put rice on first, then pile on the veggies and chicken. Add just a bit of the sauce. Roll up and Eat. The kids like this because they like to play with their food anyway!

This is just one dish that I really like and like to make. It's very simple. The longest it takes is however long it takes to get your rice cooked, so about 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Jazzing it up

I have decided to change my approach to working out a tidge. I have begun to watch my heart rate as I pedal, instead of the rpms. Yes, I did have to put down the book I was reading and that was a sorrowful experience. In its place, I have begun to listen to audiobooks as I work out and I love that. Back to the heart rate. I get a better work out. I push harder during the easy level times and I burn about 20+ calories more than when I only watched the rpms. I sweat sooner. I tire sooner, but overall it makes me feel better. Feel better about all the cookie dough I can't seem to stop eating this week. I guess I better make it two workout times a day. . .

What music do you listen to while working out?

I had a request to ask you all a question (Thanks Kim for the great idea!)
 Kim wanted to know what kind of music do you listen to while working out?

 I have a play list on my ipod that I've labeled "Workout". So I just set it to that setting and go. It's amazing how an upbeat song can keep you running or working out! I love to run on the beat. It keeps my legs going and keeps me concentrating on the beat instead of how much I hate running!
Here are some of the artists I listen to while working out:
Dave Matthews
Josie & The Pussycats
Kelly Clarkson
Pink
Brittney Spears
Carrie Underwood
Taylor Swift
All American Rejects
Paramore
Yellowcard
Hanson
Blink 182

These are just a few of the artists. I listen to whatever catches my ear. I'm not picky when it comes to what I listen to!

Let me know what you like to listen to! I'm always looking for something new to listen to!

Trying to lose weight while sick

 This week I have had a nasty head cold. I HATE being sick. I can't think of anyone who likes it, come to think of it, but it royally sucks!

 While I've been sick, I have really only wanted to eat one thing, and that's elk steaks. I know, it's weird, but I crave solid foods when I'm not feeling well.

 What do you like to eat when you're not feeling good? Please let me know, I'm really interested in trying some new recipes while sick.

Here's to Calorie Counting!!

Jessica, my older sister, found this article online. It's rather interesting to see how much it's all about calories and not cutting out sugars.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/index.html?hpt=T2
If you have the time to read it, you should, but if you don't I'll summarize it for you...
 This professor basically cuts his calories down, but continues to eat Twinkies and other sugars. He monitored his blood pressure and cholesterol.
 It's a very interesting article and just hits my point home with this blog. It's all about calorie intake and burning more calories than you take in.
 It makes me more sure of what I'm doing! We can do this!! I hope you all have a great week!

Check-in

11/5/10 Measurements           10/6/10 Measurements         Total Loss:
Neck: 12.5"                                        Neck: 12.5"                               0
Chest: 39"                                          Chest: 38.5"                               .5"
R Arm: 14.5"                                    R Arm: 13.5"                              1"
L Arm: 14.5"                                    L Arm: 13.5"                               1"
Waist: 37.5"                                     Waist: 37.5"                                0
Hips: 40"                                           Hips:  39.5"                                  .5"
R Thigh: 24"                                     R Thigh: 23.5"                             .5"
L Thigh: 23"                                     L Thigh: 23.5"                             +.5"
R Calf: 16"                                         R Calf: 15"                                      1"
L Calf: 16"                                         L Calf: 15"                                      1"


I am embarrassed. First, for my lack of strict measurements. I just whip them up, so it is not completely accurate. Second, for not doing very well. Here's to next month! 

What is your favorite Exercise?

I am curious as to what everyone likes to do for exercise. I have recently begun running. I don't like it. It hurts, I'm so slow, and I get bored! I do it because, one, I'm trying to run with my sister, and two, because it's healthy and a good way to lose my weight.

I have a few exercises that I like to do without my kids. I really like to play basketball. We were playing basketball last January, and I really enjoyed it. I miss it. I also like to go walking with my friends. We have a path here that is pretty long and has lots of hills, so it's a great workout!

It's hard finding the way to do exercising with your kids, but it's good for you and your kids. One, it gets your kids seeing that exercising is important and good for you. Two, it teaches kids that it can be fun. Three, it lets you have time with your kids doing something you can both enjoy. I like to use Cartr (my 16 lb 11 month old) as my weights. I lay on the floor and lift him up and down. He LOVES it! It makes us both laugh as I try not to get drool on my face. I also enjoy taking the kids running with me. I let them play on the football field while I run the track. When I go walking with friends, we usually take our kids along with us.  I  believe that involving your children will help them understand the importance of exercise.

I would love to know what your favorite exercises are! Please drop me a note!

First full month of this! Measurement time...

I am really anxious/nervous about seeing my results of this first full month of exercising. I hope that I have some good results!

11/1/10 Measurements                                     10/4/10 Measurements         Total Loss:
Neck: 13                                                          Neck: 13 1/4                          .25 inches
Chest: 40                                                          Chest: 40                                 0
R Arm: 12 1/2                                                   R Arm: 13                              .5 inches
L Arm: 12 1/2                                                   L Arm: 13                              .5 inches
Waist: 45 1/4                                                    Waist: 46                               .75 inches
Hips: 43                                                            Hips:  43 1/2                         .5 inches
R Thigh: 22 3/4                                                 R Thigh: 24                            1.25 inches
L Thigh: 22 3/4                                                 L Thigh: 24                             1.25 inches
R Calf: 14 3/4                                                  R Calf: 15                                 .25 inches
L Calf: 14 3/4                                                  L Calf: 15                                 .25 inches

Total Loss in inches:
6.5 inches!!! I can't believe it! I was very nervous about my measurements! I have been running a mile three days a week and cutting back on my calories.  Calorie Count has really helped me with seeing how many kcals I consume each day. I am very happy with these results! I hope you all have a great coming week!