Quite a week for all of us

It sounds like it's been quite a week for all of us. I weigh and measure myself Monday mornings and for the first 10 weeks I was seeing a little bit of a change each week, which was starting to add up. I've kept up with my exercises, haven't missed a day, but for week 11 and 12 I had no change and then this week (13) I've gained back half an inch around my waist and hips. The only place I've lost in the last 3 weeks is my bust, of course. Oh well. I will admit that the goal to keep up with walking to Jamaica was the only thing that got me to work out yesterday. Even so, I was in tears the whole time, but I did it. This morning I did a ABS of Steel workout that I bought a couple of years ago. I had only tried it once right after I bought it and burst out laughing about half way through and said, "Ya right" and turned it off because there was not way I could do it then. I was able to make it through and even keep up this morning, so my working out must be doing some good, even if I'm not seeing it in my measurements. Keep working hard girls.

Oh, I had a random thought the other day and wondered if we had invited Mom to join us in the walk to Jamaica?

Carrie

Pushing forward

So last week was kind of a doosy for me. I needed to get back in the right mind set. So this morning I went to running for 22 minutes, so I am thinking I ran approximately 2 miles and then did the Level 1 of the workout video that I have been doing. It felt good and hopefully as a push through this I will lose more weight. I hope you are doing well in your endeavors. Debbie I REALLY hope the flu bug is out of your house! That is no fun!

I'm lame but you guys are doing great

I don't have much to report for myself right now, I am barely keeping up with the walk to Jamaica because we have had the stomach flu in our home for over a week and our family is barely functioning; but I wanted to let the rest of you know that I am really impressed by your dedication. Your goals are impressive and your physical fitness are too. Laura and Becca can both run 2 miles and Carrie can bike for 40 minutes straight! Unfortunately I am way behind you all but maybe one of these days I will figure out how to do everything I am supposed to in the day. Anyway, good job you guys. Debbie

Discouragement/Success

So yesterday I wanted to cry. I got on the scale and there was a one pound difference from the weight I wrote down, so I lost a pound. But when I wrote down the weight I weighed myself at night and the next morning I was two pounds less. So depending on how you look at it I lost a pound or I gained a pound. It was discouraging for me. I didn't think I had lost a lot of weight, but I was hoping for four pounds or so, but it didn't happen. However I did measure myself and I have lost 1 1/2 inches around my waist, 3 1/2 inches around my hips, 1 inch around my thigh, and 1/4 inch around my calf. So there is progress. There is no progress in my Relief Society arms though. I am feeling better about the results this morning though. I need to go exercise... Oh and I bought some pepper spray last night so I can go running and feel a little safer...
Laura

Struggling

This week I have had a hard time motivating myself to workout. I have kept up, but I am struggling. I need to pull out of this and and keep pushing myself. I am going to try level three tomorrow and tomorrow is my weigh in day, so hopefully I will be able to see a change whether in weight or inches. I'll report back tomorrow.
Laura

Going the distance

I think I am going to do level 3 of the 30-day shred this week. Ah....I think on Thursday....I'll let you know how it goes...
Laura

Pushing yourself

So yesterday I decided to do level 1 & level 2 of the workout video's I have been doing, so I could push myself to do a little bit more. After the hour was up, I was about to die, but it felt great to do them both, and I am really not all that sore today, which is really nice, and I had energy to do the things I wanted to. Granted when it was time for bed I was dead, but I did it. I hope you are all have great success!
Laura

The Biggest Loser

Okay, so I know you are not all fans of the Biggest Loser, but I like the show. I enjoy seeing the transformations of the contestants. I have even looked into becoming a member of the Biggest Loser Club, but I don't want to fork over the money involved. But after looking into it, we have the same thing here. We have a support system and we can use this blog to post recipes and tell of our success and struggles and what not. I always enjoy reading everyone's posts. Oh and I thought this recipe sounded good so I thought I would share:

New Orleans Rubbed Chicken with Apricot Mustard Sauce

1 T. dried thyme
1/2 T. ground black pepper
1 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. cayenne, to taste
1/8 t. salt
4 small (4 ounces each) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of visible fat
1 t. extra virgin olive oil
1/3 C. apricot 100% fruit preserves
2 T. spicy brown mustard

Preheat the grill to high hear.

In a small bowl, combine the thyme, black pepper, garlic powder, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne to taste, and salt. Mix to blend.

place the chicken on a large plate or platter. Drizzle with the oil. Rub to coat the chicken evenly with the oil. Sprinkle the reserved seasoning mixture over the chicken. Tub to coat evenly. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 10 minutes for the seasonings to flavor the chicken.

Meanwhile, spoon the preserves into a small microwaveable bowl. Cook on low power in 15-second intervals, or until melted. Stir in the mustard until well blended. Set aside.

Place the chicken on the grill and reduce the heat to medium move away from direct heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until no longer pink and the juices run clear. Serve each breast with 2 1/2 tablespoons of the reserved sauce spooned over the top.

Makes 4 servings.

Anyways, I hope you are all have success in your plans. Good luck all of you!

Laura

So Sore

So I am trying out 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels, and I am so sore. I have felt I had been working hard for the last couple weeks, but I am dying here. These workout video's are really making feel like I am working hard, and I am. I think I am going to stick to levels 1&2 until I can do them well and then I will move on to level 3. Ouch! I hope Debbie and Becca try them out too! They are good videos...at least I like them.
Laura

Carrie's goals

I thought I better follow Laura's good example and put in my goals. I'm still trying to figure out the difference between what I want and what is realistic, so I hope my goals are attainable, but not too easy. First I should say that I've been exercising for 11 weeks now, so I'm going to put the goals I've accomplished so far and then my ongoing goals.

My first goal was simply to get up and exercise every day. I originally wanted to loose 10 to 15 pounds. Then I actually weighed myself and realized that I really needed to loose closer to 20-25 pounds. After several weeks of exercising and not losing any weight, I decided to concentrate on inches, more than pounds, although I would still like to see the pounds drop.

So far I have lost 1 1/2 pounds, 3 inches around my waist, and 2 inches around my hips.

My goals from this point on are:
1. Continue to work out five days a week for 30-50 minutes each day, alternating circuit/weight training with aerobic exercise.
2. Increase my intensity from intermediate to advanced on my Tony Little "Pump up the Circuit" program by October 15th.
3. Move on to Tony Little's "Rock the Circuit" by December 1st.
4. Be to a size 10 in both waist and hip measurements by January 1st.
5. Lose 5 lbs by January 1st.
6. Finish Walk to Jamaica on schedule.
7. Be to a size 8 by April 1st.
8. Lose 10 pounds by April 1st.

I'm not sure what my rewards are yet. I had planned on rewarding myself with a certain amount of money for clothes when we get our tax return. We've had some financial set backs this week, so I'm not sure if that is realistic anymore, but I'll see what I can come up with. One of my ongoing rewards and motivators is that I get to read "The Host" (for the second time) only while I'm riding my stationary bike. So far that makes me look forward to riding more than I usually do.

Carrie

Laura, you are so awesome! Those goals are great! I am very excited about this whole thing! I have been thinking hard about some of my goals and need to get a good, specific list written down because right now I just have a bunch of thoughts. I have been reading this book by the girl that Laura is doing the workout videos from and she suggested making goals and then making rewards that have nothing to do with what the goal is. Anyway, so that is what I am working on right now. I have been trying to get out and run regularly. Last night I ran/walked 9 laps on the high school track which was the most I have done in a long time. But I felt pretty good and my body held up quite nicely which is always very helpful. I am running a 5k in November or December and decided I need to start getting my endurance levels up. I don't care how fast I do the 5k in, I just want to finish! So anyway, I promise I will post my goals soon.

On a side note, Travis worked all day in our yard and got the compost all spread out so tomorrow we are tilling and trenching for a sprinkler system and should be able to plant grass by the end of the month! WAHOO!

Becca

Goals

Today I was only able to do my 30 minute workout DVD. I did turn on my pilates and started doing them, but my sciatic nerve was hurting way too much, so I stopped. Hopefully tomorrow I can go running and then do pilates and feel better about that. And can I just say how very sore I am right now. Ow! I woke up this morning with my shoulders so stiff, my hamstrings ready to fall off and so on! But I feel like I am making progress when I am sore so I will stick with it!

Now for my goals and aspirations! Ha ha! I have been thinking about this for a long time and have been trying to do things so I can achieve these goals and make them realistic for me. So here it goes.
1- I will work out 5-6 times a week for 30-60 minutes.
2-I will lose 20 pounds by December 17, to be down to my pre-pregnancy weight.
3-I will be able to fit into all my old clothes by Dec 17 comfortably and not look like I have just been poured into my clothes.
4-I will gain muscle in my Relief Society arms so they look fantastic by December 17.
5-I will have a nice flat stomach that I am proud of by December 17.
6-I will be able to run a 5K by December 17.
7-I will eat healthy and say NO to junk food on a regular basis and when I do indulge in the sweet things in life (junk food), I will be moderate in my servings.
8-By March 1, I will lose a total of 30 pounds.
9-I will "walk" to Jamaica by March 1.
10-I will be strong.

Now I realize a lot of these goals go hand in hand, but I wanted specifics. I want to by down to my pre-pregnancy weight by December 17 because that will be my six month mark and I want to lose an additional 10 pounds because I like how I look when I am at that weight. And I want my weight loss to be realistic. I enjoy running, so I want to be able to run in some 5K races, those where you are running for a cause like MS or something like that. And I want to be strong and build my muscles, especially my back muscles for me of course but for my kids. I want to be strong for my next pregnancy (in a couple years) because I don't want my ribs to go out again in be in pain like I was with Blythe the last few days of my pregnancy. I think that is about it. I look forward to seeing your goals shortly. I hope all is going well for you!
Laura

Happy birthday to me!

So today I did a resistance training video along with pilates and it killed. But I am getting stronger. Today is the first day I was able to do 30 jumping jacks with weights, twice. Of course I can't keep up with the video so I hit pause. BUT I did it. Hooray! And I was able to do the teaser in pilates, and no it was not pretty, but I did it nonetheless. And now I get to eat cake and ice cream and destroy the calories I have already burned today! Such is life!
Laura

Stepping it up...

So I have been at this exercise thing for two and a half weeks now, and I have not lost any weight. Probably because my diet hasn't been the healthiest. At least I haven't been saying no to the sweet side of things, so that needs to change and I feel I need to step up my routine. I wish I felt comfortable going outside by myself and running, but I don't so I am stuck indoors with my exercise videos. So I am going to continue doing my Jillian Michaels DVD's and add in some pilates, so I will be exercising about 50-60 minutes daily. Hopefully I will see some progress by the next time I take measurements. I so want to fit back into the majority of my clothes instead of a small fraction of them. It can be so frustrating looking at all of my clothes some days and know I can only wear a few of them, some still being maternity. So we will see how it goes. I like Becca will be posting my goals here in the next day or so.
Laura

Hey everyone! I know I haven't been good at all about posting, but I am getting some goals together and I promise to post soon. I decided I want to post all of my goals so that I have someone to report to. Anyway, I had a question for Debbie. You were telling me about the book you were reading and how you can measure your fat percentage by different measurements. I don't know how detailed it is, but if it isn't too much you should post it. I am interested in doing it. Thanks!

Becca

My coach/helper

I have a coach now. His name is Boyd! He helps me get out my equipment every morning and puts in the DVD for me. And then he counts with me and pushes me even further by saying I need to do another DVD! And by the way, he calls exercises "eckercises"! It is cute!

Today I did a Jillian DVD and an entire Pilates DVD! It burned and I am sore, but it feels good and I stink afterwards so I shower everyday which helps me not feel like a frumpy mom, which is one of my goals I have set. Too often I feel like a frump, so exercising helps me and I have more energy to keep up with Boyd since he never seems to run out of steam! Hope you are all having a great experience and can't wait to hear how sore you have been!

Laura

My experience

Hey Debbie, when I did the Body for Life thing it was all about low-fat diets and so I looked at the Body for Life cookbook. All it was really was your regular recipes with low-fat or no fat ingredients and lean meats. Like substituting ground turkey for ground beef and using low-fat cottage cheese and omitting the really fatty items like sour cream and what not. So you can stick to your regular recipes and substitute the ingredients.

So today I did Jillian Michaels kick boxing DVD and then attempting to do Pilates to get more of a workout on my abs. Yikes. I made it about 7 1/2 minutes into my pilates DVD. Wow! I hope you are all getting your workouts in. I know it is tough to stay on top of it, but good luck!
Laura

From Debbie

Does anyone have any good eating tips or programs that don't involve going without a food group and can be done while nursing? I am trying to figure out that aspect of getting healthy and haven't yet. Any good low fat recipes? I need something that works for my whole family, at least the dinner part of it.

Walk toJamaica started September 1

So yesterday was the start of Walk to Jamaica (sorry we are telling you this today rather than yesterday). Our goal is to get to Jamaica in 6 months. Jamaica is about 2600 miles away so if we go 100 miles per week we will make it. Each minute of exercise counts as 1 mile. If you want to challenge yourself you can say that mild exercise equals 1/2 mile and rigorous exercise is 1 mile but it is up to you. I will be emailing everyone a spreadsheet that you can keep track of your miles on, if you don't get it by the end of the week email me. We don't want anyone to make it to Jamaica in a couple of months and then stop exercising so you are not allowed to get ahead of where we are supposed to be, you are only allowed to catch up or stay on track no matter how much exercise you do (of course we all self monitor this so you can do whatever you want and if you really want to get ahead, no one is going to stop you). We picked Jamaica because it was the right distance away and we thought it kind of represented a vacation/doing something for yourself so when you make it to Jamaica you get whatever reward you have decided on. We were hoping everyone would write in and say what their reward was so that it was set and we all knew what we are working for. I also thought it would be fun for people to write what their fitness goals are so that we have more incentive to complete them. This is all optional of course. One last thing, could everyone who is planning on trying this please let everyone know so that if we send something to the walk to Jamaica group we don't leave anyone out or bother anyone not doing it? Debbie

I've started

So last week I started my exercise regimen using Jillian Michael's kick butt dvd's. (Jillian is the gal who does the Biggest Loser TV show, for those of you who are interested). Anyways, she has been kicking my butt, but it is a good workout. It's 30 minutes of aerobic resistance training, so we use a step, light weights, and a mat. Which I like. So now that I am started, I just need to take a picture and print it, so I can remind myself daily why I am doing this.

Oh and by the way Carrie, thanks for posting the measurements chart. It helps to see what I would like to lose in inches too and not just weight. Hopefully I can see success next time I weigh in and measure myself which will be September 25th. Maybe I'll check the scale in between now and then but I really don't want to unless I know I am losing, just so I don't get depressed. Hope you are all doing well with your goals. Best of luck!

Laura