Check it Out!

I love the following BLOG. It is all fitness oriented, but so down to earth. The gal that writes it is a Mom of 4 boys. If she can fit exercise in everyday then so can I. Check it out! You may become a huge fan like I did!!

http://www.self.com/fitness/blogs/freshfitnesstips

Jen's weigh-in.

Hey ya'll. This last week went so-so. I ate well, drank lots of water, tracked my calories and exercise, etc. I gained about a half a pound. I could have done a lot better about eating breakfast...not my strong suit for sure. I did cardio five times and strength-training a couple times, not as many as I hoped/planned.

I wasn't happy with this week's results, so I'm feeling even more motivated to kick some butt this week.

Heather's Post

Hey guys! I forgot to post yesterday...it was a doosey. However, I did weigh myself. I am back to my starting weight, so no improvement yet. Oh well. I'm kind of bummed that it's taking so long to lose ANYTHING, but I feel really proud of myself for meeting my goal of working out 3 times a week. I know that if I stick with it, I'll be healthier and hopefully a little lighter :)

The girls and I drove over to April's this morning to borrow one of her (MANY :) workout videos. I nabbed a Kathy Smith one that looks like it may have been produced before I entered the world, and "The Firm" something or other. We did the Firm one this morning and I actually really enjoyed it! It was kind of short though - only 45 minutes total. Maybe I'll do extra abs next time I do that video to fill an hour. Thanks for the videos Ape! You have a veritable smorgosborg of workouts on tape!!

Brad the bear

I did'nt gain or lose. I maintained this week. I did meet my goal of working out 3 times thanks to April. I need to watch a little better what I eat this week but i'm still doing good. Good luck to everybody.

April -- Week 4

It was a bad-sad weigh in for me this morning. I have gain nearly 1.5 lbs this week. I guess the pumpkin bread and muffin tops were a bad idea! I still did really good working out though. I do feel more tone, so that is a positive thing. I have had to use my inhaler less lately as well. So things are still going well, even if the dang scale wants to rain on my parade!

I have been working out a min. of 4 times a week. My routine is:
Mon.- Elliptical 20min & weights/abs 30 min
Tues.- 1 Hr Step
Thur.- 1 Hr Zumba
Sat.- 20 min Bike or Run & at least 16 laps of swimming

Work-Out Videos

As previously promised I have inventoried my workout videos. I was stunned by how many I have. Sheesh, with this collection I should have a rock hard body! :) Here are my favorite three videos to do. Of course 2 of the 3 are step, what can I say, I am a step-oholic!

Here is a full list of my videos. All of you are more then welcome to borrow them.

1. Buns & Abs of steel 2000 Plt. series
2. Reebok Dance Step
3. Kathy Smith (KS) Step Workout
4. Reebok Step - Rhythm & Moves
5. Arms & Abs of Steel 2
6. Abs & Chest of Steel 2000 Plt. series
7. Nautilus Aerobics - Weight Loss Workout
8. Tony Little - Target Training Abs
9. KS Great Buns & Thighs Step
10. KS Weight loss Workout
11. KS Power Step
12. Reebok Step - The Video
13. Reebok Hi Low Aerobics
14. Reebok Long & Lean
15. Reebok Sweat Factory
16. KS Ult. stomach & Thigh Workout
17. KS Instant Workout 3-20 min workouts
18. KS Functionally Fit, lower body firming
19. Pilate's - Body Band
20. Pilate's - Beg. Mat
21. Pilate's - Int. Mat
22. Pilate's - Body Ring
23. Pilate's - all Levels
24. KS Time Saver - Lift Weights to Lose Weight
25. KS Time Saver - Shaper Ball Workout
26. Weight Stick Workout
27. 2 Energy Balls Workout
28. Gilad Step Aerobics DVD
29. The Firm - Ult. fat Burning Workout DVD
30. Abs & Buns of Steel - 6 - 15 min workouts DVD
31. Leisa Hart's - Fit to the Core - Burn
    

Food

Here are a few foods we are loving lately. They are low-guilt but high-flavor. Please share what foods are getting you excited these days.

Fish- we have had both Halibut and Salmon this past week. I love grilled fish!
Jell-o -- This is so saving me since I have a HUGE sweet tooth. If we are feeling indulgent we may even put some light cool whip on it.
Edemamme -- so yummy, and so guilt free! Just go easy on the salt.
Hard Boiled Eggs-- yes, we eat the yolks too, but eggs are a great source of protein.
Craisins -- I keep these at my desk for when I get the munchies.
Kashi Bars - love the Trail Mix flavor. I eat one of these and chug water about an hour before step class.
Zip Fiz -- It flavors your water and adds vitamins and our little friend, caffeine! (My favorite flavor is Berry)
Mini Rice Cakes - the Apple Cinnamon are to die for.

Brad the bear

I lost 2 more pounds. For a Total of 8 pounds lost so far. Just eating a lot better, and working out 3-4 times a week. Good luck and hang in there!!!!!!!!!

Jen's weigh-in.

Good news. I'm down 4.4 pounds from last week's weigh-in. I've actually been shocked/pleased to watch my weight go down through out the week (we aren't supposed to be staying away from the scale throughout the week are we?). I worked out four times (running/walking 3x, core secrets video 1x, biggest loser video 1x).

I'm encouraged, but I also know that I have this habit of losing the first five pounds and then turning around eating it right back on. I am determined to get past the five lb. flux that I usually experience. Here's hoping.

I think the new scale has helped....it really does motivate me to see even itsy bitsy progress on there each morning. I've also been using thedailyplate like I mentioned, and that has been helping me. When I wrote everything down, I knew I'd have to write down "Zinger- 160 calories, blahblahblah". But with the daily plate, not only do I have to add it to what I've eaten that day, but it also totals all my fat, cals, sugars, etc., in addition to telling me how many calories I have left to consume for the day. The site helps you figure out how many calories you should eat to lose however many pounds you want to lose in a week.

What I don't like about the daily plate...I don't love the way you track exercise, but I think I'm going to stop using their numbers and use the numbers from my treadmill and my heart rate monitor to track how many calories I've burned. The other thing I don't like is trying to figure out how many calories I consumed in difficult-to-calculate meals (ex:we ate breakfast burritos on Saturday and I have no idea if I was really anywhere close to what I actually ate because I didn't measure what I ate.) So one of my goals for this week is to do some research and try to find a website/resource that will allow me to type in a recipe that I've prepared and figure out how many calories are in a serving.

Other goals for this week...drink two water bottles a day. Workout more. Cardio 5x, strength training 3x. Eat breakfast everyday (this is soooo hard for me).

Good work, everyone. I'm so glad we are doing this. I really need the extra motivation.

April -- Week 3

This was a great week! I lost 2.4 pounds this week (for a total loss of 3.4 lbs.). I have been working out really hard, so it looks like it is finally paying off. Brad and I have been doing pretty good with what we are eating. I did make Pumpkin Spice Bread this weekend and we have been gobbling that down in nothing flat (oh so naughty!).

I have a Q for Becky and Jen, since you two are the runners in the group. What pointers can you give me on running? I am the slowest runner ever. I think a speed walker could pass me up. So are there tricks of the trade to help with speed, calf/shin pain, that good old runners stitch? Anything would help at this point!!

So seriously, is no one else going to do the Triathlon with Myles and I. I am doing it just to complete it, not to compete. I will probably be close to the last over the finish line, but as long as I finish I will be stoked. Come on guys, at least think about it!

Woo Hoo!

Guess what guys...I'm 3 pounds down from my starting weight! I was all happy until I realized that my scale is probably just on the fritz. Seriously. Last week I was up some poundage and this week I'm down some poundage? Sounds a bit fishy to me. Anywho - I'm going to change the batteries in my scale today.

I met my goal last week. (sort of) I didn't Zumba on Saturday, but we took the girls swimming. Since we had to hold them the entire time, I consider that a workout :)

My goal for this week is to work out 3 times and to drink more water throughout the day.

Good luck you guys!

Give it a TRI

Ok- the first local triathlon of the season is on March 28, plenty of time to train!! So who is in with me?!?!? Come on guys!!! I know Myles and I are in for suresies, so don't make us go it alone.
Check out the website at
http://www.goldmedalracing.com/events/icebreakertri/

Come on you know you wanna TRI it!!!!!!

The Daily Plate.

Do any of you guys ever use "The Daily Plate"? You can find it on www.livestrong.com. I have used the daily plate in the past to check on the nutritional content of something I've eaten at a restaurant, but it has most everything on there. Sometimes just knowing the nutritional facts about a food is enough to make it less appealing (somehow this hasn't worked for my Starbucks love though). Anyhow, you can also use the daily plate to track your food intake and exercise each day. I'm thinking that might be easier for me than writing it all down and calculating things in a book. Just thought I'd pass it along in case you want to play with it. Seems to be pretty accurate...as far as the restaurant items, they are taken from the restaurant's nutritional facts, not just made up.

Jen's ramblings.

Ah, where to start? I'm a week behind ya'll, but I did go to WalMart early this morning and get a new scale so I could weigh myself (old scale wasn't digital and it was broken...added an extra 20+ lbs.). I think the digital scale will be motivating to me...I felt the old scale only gave me a ballpark figure.

So yeah. I weighed myself. Then ate a fudgie cookie and a Dr. Pepper before getting on the treadmill for 30 mins. and doing a Core Secrets video for 25 mins. I would love to lose 20 lbs. If I lost 25 lbs, I would be thrilled. I work out pretty regularly, but my eating habits go up and down. I have a food journal that I keep when I'm really feeling motivated, but then I always get out of the habit and forget about it. I have an exercise log that I keep pretty religiously, occasionally forgetting to log my workouts, but usually I'm pretty good about it because it makes me feel good to look at what I've been doing. It especially makes me feel better considering I work out a fair amount and never really lose weight. I definitely see a difference in my body, but losing weight doesn't come easily, to be sure.

I really want to be better about drinking more water. I try to limit myself to one can of soda a day, but I really need to cut that down. Dr. Pepper is my huge downfall. The way I get myself to drink more water is to add those Crystal Light packets (or the new Ocean Spray ones) which only have like 5 calories (though they do have phenylalanine). This helps me get more water in me, but they are still sweet, so many would say that's bad. It helps me, so I drink it.

I'd like to know what workouts everyone enjoys, has had success with, etc. I am partial to the treadmill and some videos that I use (I'll try to take some pics and post what they are and what I like about them). I would love to be able to go to the gym, but money, time and the two kiddos just make it easier to work out at home.

Guess that's enough rambing for now. Brad, you can stop harassing me now.

Monday's weigh in!!

I have lost 2.4 pounds since last week. A grand total of losing 5.6 pounds.

Brad The bear!!!!

WhatEVER!

I gained a pound and a half this week, apparently...stupid scale. Although, I did weigh myself this afternoon with my clothes on instead of in the morning, stark nekked (TMI, I know) like I did for my initial "starting" weight.

BUT I'm proud of myself because I met my goal of working out 3 times. I did the 20-20-20 class on Tuesday morning, and Zumba on Thursday and Saturday. My goal is to do those three classes again this week.

Peace Out!

STRESS!

Let's just say that a death in the family and work problems are causing me to eat chocolate cake for breakfast today. BUT, my good news is that over the month of December up until now I didn't gain anything! After all this stuff in the next few weeks calm down, and my chocolate cake is gone, I am going to be good at working out. I really want to go to Zumba sometime! And way to go Brad keeping a food journal, it stinks when you read it and actually see what you are putting in your mouth all day long!

April -- Week 2

I lost 1 pound this week. I was hoping for more, but at least it is in the right direction. I have been working out really hard, so hopefully I am gaining muscle too.
On Saturday Brad and I had a great workout at the Legacy Center. I biked for 4.5 miles and swam 16 laps. No too shabby for our first time back in the pool in forever.
This week I am preparing for an IRS audit at work. So if I can make it though that without stress-eating I will be ever so proud of myself!!

Brad

I have been doing 8 minute abs. And a keep a food journal and exercise calender.

Killer Toning Work-Out

Try this great work-out and I promise you will "feel the burn"!!!

http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2009/01/the-great-one-month-slim-down-slideshow

I also made it into a Word document for easy use during exercising. I put mine in a page protector to keep it safe while I am all sweaty and trying to read the next move :) I cant figure out how to attach a doc at this moment. So if you would like it leave a comment and I will email it to you.

Peace Out!!

20-20-20

I'm proud of myself today because I went to a new class at the rec center. It's always a little nerve-racking trying out a new class because 1) I'll probably look like a fool, and 2) I might just look like a TOTAL goober and pass out because I'm so out of shape! Anywho - the class is called 20-20-20 because they do 20 minutes of cardio, weights, and abs. Though it's really closer to 30-20-10 :)

The girls attended the rec center daycare for the first time today too! They did really well! Though Janie did have a poopy diaper halfway through and I had to run out to the car to get diapers and wipes, so I missed about 10 minutes of the weights :( (So I guess that puts me at 30-10-10) ;) But Gracie said that the "teachers" were nice and that she wouldn't mind going back sometimes. Really, I'm just grateful that they only have to do that once a week. The other two workouts are evening and Sat, so Joe takes the kidlets for me.

Brad The Bear

So far I have lost 3.6 pounds. I have been eating a lot more healthier and keeping a journal.

April -- Week 1

This was really only half of a week. But I seemed to gain weight!! Whatever! (Stupid scale) Ok, I promise to drink lots more water this week and workout at least 4 times. I have a raging headache from cutting down my soda intake (so hopefully I don't go postal on anyone today).

Brad and I had a yummy-healthy dinner last night of Chicken Moroccan Stew. We found the recipe in a magazine. I will post the recipe tonight for you guys to try. It turned out really good and wasn't difficult to make.

I have a goal to lose 5lbs. this month. I better have better results next week if I am going to do that.

Happy Exercising!!

Heather A

Okay, so I forgot to weigh myself last week, but I'm going to do that today for my "starting weight." I haven't really watched what I ate this week, but I did workout once. LOL. That's pretty lame, but Zumba was cancelled on Thursday night, so it's not really my fault.

Anyway, this week, my goal is to go to Amanda's 20-20-20 (whatever the heck that is) class at the Legacy Center on Tuesday morning, Zumba on Thursday and Saturday, and call it a success!

I'm gonna go weigh myself...the definition of NOT FUN ;)