Wednesday's 3 miles

on Wednesday my 3 mile time was fabulous!

3 miles in 40.25 minutes!

What I weigh.......sigh

I sorry to admit to myself that I now

weigh 180.5 pounds!

That's up 7 pounds from my lowest

Where are those darn frowny face icons?

4miles!

Today was an Elliptical Day

My legs are always grateful for an Elliptical Day!

4 miles in 46.43 minutes

level range 7 to 15!

Goodness my legs hurt!

This morning it was another 3 miles!

Only this time in 41.59 minutes!

I'm pretty excited about that time!

Saturday's hour workout

Today I walked/jogged for an hour,
Yep 60 whole minutes!

in that 60 minutes I went 4.35 miles.

**note to self ...
I included my warm up in the first
10 minutes.

Another note to self....
Never take G again.
He stopped me in the middle of the
hardest portion to ask if we could
stop to get donuts on the way home!

3 more miles

This morning was my morning to
log 3 miles on the elliptical.

3miles in 34 minutes
I did them at level 7.

My dogs are tired

I walked/jogged my 3 miles today
in 44 minutes
averaged 4mph

My feet were tired!
but I'm already feeling better!

3 more miles

Today, I did my 3 miles on the elipical machine.

Levels 7 & 10,
3miles in
35.23 minutes.

Reality Check

This past Saturday I wore this skirt ......

and it was tight, not tight like,

"doesn't that look nicely fitted" but tight like,

"oh, my goodness I don't know if I can sit down in this skirt!"

Nevermind that I wore this same skirt just last Sunday and it was fine!?!

Today I started walking/running again!

3 miles in 44.43minutes!

My new look!

I may look odd, but this is a wonder bag of ice.

After my Physical Therapy they strap this huge bag of ice to my shoulder. I left it there for about an hour (went to eat lunch with it). Then I took a couple of Advil. Today (the day after) my shoulder feels fine! We, the PTist and I were both predicting that today I would be in alot of pain......NOPE! Thank you wonder bag of ice!

I'm impressed that in just a week, my shoulder has come along way!

Alright this is a bummer!

I have to admit that YES, working out makes me feel better BUT it's also great wear and tear on my body.

Over this summer my left shoulder has slowly stopped moving. I continued to work it out, until recently. It's still strong. It's just getting more and more unmoveable!

I went to the doctor the first of September. He said I had impegment and all I needed some Physical Therapy.

Since I was working out already, and I was super busy running back and forth, running like crazy. I didn't go for PT.

Now, it's no longer just impingement it's the next level, something capsulise. and PT 2 times a week for 6 weeks!

OH and an cortisone shot.

No more strengthen my arm, only stretching it!

He's not sure there isn't some sort of tear, BUT my arm is still strong so there is a good chance it just doesn't want to move. Even if there is something that requires surgery, I still have to have PT before he could even do surgery.

Back at it!

I want to walk a half marathon in the spring,
so I've found a plan to get me there.
It's a 14 week plan all set up!

Today I didn't think I was ready to start quite
where the plan starts (4miles)
so I'm working on pre plan.

Today I walked 3 miles in about 45+ minutes
(I had to go to the bathroom in the middle so
the time got off, but I watched the miles)

I weight this morning at the gym and I was 181!
That's just too much, gained!

I'm back.....

This morning I decided it was time to give working out a priority again. Well, actually there is this mind game that I play ...... my scales have broken at home, I've been eating whatever I wanted to (which is really different than what I would eat a year ago. Yes, there has been some learning going on), no excerise.... which leads me to look at myself and see FAT. I think I'm gaining weight. Which is good in some ways, I'm not a skinny person so I still need to see my FAT so I'll continue with my workout/health journey.

This morning when I worked out I still weighted the same 175 that I've weighted all summer! Plus 1

I worked out for an hour (walked for 20 minutes and ran on the elliptical for 40 minutes aka 5k)and it felt good! Plus 1

August's picture

Weight 175

shirt size Medium (!)

pants (cotton) size 12

**I turned the bathroom light on for the picture on the right

and please ignore the tp next to my head!**

I love my new little bargain shirt

I found it for just $7.50 on the sale rack!

Watermelon!

The Facts:
**Not only does it quench your thirst, it can also quench inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.
**Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon are grown worldwide.
**Watermelon is an ideal health food because it doesn’t contain any fat or cholesterol, is high in fiber and vitamins A & C and is a good source of potassium.

**Watermelon is a vegatable! It is related to cucumbers, pumpkins and squash.
**Pink watermelon is also a source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene. These powerful antioxidants travel through the body neutralizing free radicals.
**Early explorers used watermelons as canteens.
**Watermelon is grown in over 96 countries worldwide.
**In China and Japan watermelon is a popular gift to bring a host.
**In Israel and Egypt, the sweet taste of watermelon is often paired with the salty taste of feta cheese.
**Every part of a watermelon is edible, even the seeds and rinds.

Love it!

Personal Trainer #1

This morning I started my Personal Training sessions from my friend Michelle!
I started out (on my own) with 25 minutes on the elliptical (at level 10)

Then worked out with Michelle.
Today was not overly hard but not a piece of cake (so to speak) either!
*2 sets of 15 ....
squats with dumbbells
lunges on the slider matte
pull downs
bench presses (without weights)
step ups with weights
planks
and twisty things with weights
(don't cha love the names I've made for these things?!?!)

for the record ...

I weighed in at 172.75 pounds
Chest 37 inches
waist 33.25 inches
hip 40 inches
thigh 22.25 inches

Back on Track

OK, I'm back on track this week because ~

I set a weight that I didn't want to go over ... 175
AND I'm almost there!

I remembered that report that said women
should workout for at least 60 minutes
AND I am back to that!

I signed up (at hubby's recommendation)
for 12 sessions (30 minutes) of personal training.
AND I start those next week.

So I'm about to jump off this plateau!
GERONIMO

vacation

I've just taken the past 3 days off, haven't had work out clothes on, and haven't even looked at my running shoes and you know what ....it feels good!

yesterday I walked in the house fresh from my workout when my oldest son was in the kitchen. Our paths crossed, he stopped turned and said ......

"Mom, you smell like ......" there was a pause while he was trying to find the most polite way of wording his comments!?! "you smell like a woman that's been working out."

Me ~ "yea, I just got done working out"

Son ~ "well, when I work out I smell like a MAN (his voice got deeper) whose been working out and you.... (pause again) smell like a woman that's been working out."

I then told him how sometimes when I stop at the grocery store on the way home, I think the guy in front of me in the check out line smells! Then when I get home I smell the guy again! How can this BE? Oh, it's me that smells!

June's 2nd picture

OK, I just couldn't stick with June's 1st picture!

It just wasn't my best day and My curling iron broke!

The great thing about this being MY blog,

I can put whatever I want on it, and

I want another June Picture!

June picture take 2

weight 184

size 10 skirt

size L top

(all cotton and it's been washed)

I'm just sayin'.....

I'm just sayin' that it took me hours to get the gym today. Then only because of the fear if I didn't go I really wouldn't be able to move tomorrow.

I'm just sayin' it's bad when you decide you can 'hold it' because sitting down on the toilet will be painful AND require you to grab the tank behind you so you don't fall in!

I'm just sayin' I knew things were bad when I went to get in the van and had to pause before I lifted my leg to get in, it was a moment of silence before the pain.

I'm just sayin' that once I got to the gym, it took my a good 5 minutes of Frankenstein walking to really break loose and then it took a couple of attempts to get my legs moving enough to run.

I'm just sayin' that I could have ran all day (well maybe not), but once I stopped it took a few minutes for my muscles to tighten back up!

WOW! I won't go this long without doing squats again! I'm just sayin'
I'm just sayin' yesterday's class was a killer!

Weight Class

Weight Class this morning whipped my hiney!

Shew it was tough. I didn't over weight myself but I also hadn't lifted a weight in about 4 weeks (remember I was getting ready to run my 5k??)

I have issues with my lovely but bulging disc in my upper back that manifest it self in many different ways. I believe I saw all the ways it manifest itself this morning. From my experience I just need to stick to the lighter weights and stick with it!

I was also reminded of just how short my arms are! I've been told this but until you need longer arms I just don't realize that they're short!?!

Yummy Recipe

Trainer Momma has done it again!
Fiesta Bake

adapted from Set for Life
1 lb extra-lean ground beef or turkey
1 clove garlic, minced
1 onion, diced -- or in our family onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 10-oz can enchilada sauce, mild or hot
1 8-oz can tomato sauce, no salt added
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can chili beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 17-oz can corn, undrained
1 large zucchini, shredded
1 4 1/4-oz can chopped olives
8-10 corn tortillas, torn into quarters
1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese, reduced-fat
Brown beef, garlic and onion. Drain of grease. Season with salt and pepper. Add sauces, beans, corn, zucchini and olives. Place 1 cup meat mixture in the bottom of a large casserole dish or two smaller ones. Add a layer of the torn corn tortillas. Repeat layers until meal mixture and tortillas are used, ending with the meat mixture.
Cover and bake at 350 or 30 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Makes 12 servings. 235 calories per serving.
**When I don't have zucchini, I have used yellow squash, chopped spinach, or shredded sweet potatoes. They all work.

I think this could very easily be a no meat dish also!
I served it with a lettuce salad, and when the lettuce and the casserole got mixed together, it was wonderlishous .... next time I think I'll just serve it on top of the lettuce!

results June 23

+ .75 pound
didn't take my measurements.

I just want to say that I'm surprised it's not more!

I'm all snacky this week, not just snacky down right
eating us out of house and home! I'm back to the usual mother thing, cleaning my kids plates. That's bad on a couple of levels, I don't need more food AND most of the time they don't eat quite as healthy as I do!

I've mentally had a chat with myself and I'm back on track today.

I really think I've been washed out feeling since running Saturday morning.
I think I've just not taken in enough water to re hydrate myself. That was one
of the first things I started this morning, drinking, drinking, drinking! I feel like I'm adjusted to the early morning now. Working out 2 hours earlier than I ever had, has taken a toll on me. It really comes down to adjusting my sleep schedule (what's a whooper to adjust!)

Heart Rate Class

Today I went to the Heart Rate class for the first time.

You strap up with a Heart Rate Monitor that 'talks' to the computer in the front of the class, which then projects your heart rate up on the wall. The goal is to keep your Heart Rate in a certain color (color changes depends on your level of heart rate).

To achieve this I think the class will be always different.

Today we got our heart rate up by riding the stationary bikes. This was new to me, but fortunately I'd be 'sitting' (and riding) on the bikes for a few weeks now. BUT my hiney wasn't quite ready for the HARD seat of the class bikes! OH well, I enjoyed the class and will make it next week too!

June's picture

173 pounds

large top

size12 skirt

Let's not mention the bad hair day I was experiencing,

seems you get those whatever your weight is!!?!

Jamboree Jog 5k

YAY for me!
5k in 39.37
my fastest time yet.

When I started I was relieve to know that I was not the only walker/jogger. There was one other couple that were true walkers. Everyone else were runners, in fact there was a running team (of HS Cross Country kids) that ran the race in 16 minutes. By the time they were finishing I was through my first mile but just by a few minutes!

Now I'm use to running inside, on my treadmill with control of the of speed and hills and AIR! This morning I didn't have control over any of these things. The AIR was so thick you could cut it with a knife, the course was low hills and I walked and jogged faster than I do inside (which what I was hoping would happen). AND my ipod wasn't charged, just think what I could have done with tunes?!?!

LOVED IT!

No turning back now...

Well, I paid my entry fee for my 5k this morning.
This isn't my first 5k but it's my first in a LONG while.
I believe my last 5k was the Saturday after 9/11,
I remember we had a moment of silence before we began.

Early morning workouts

Today was my first day of my early morning workouts (7 to 9am).

I'm getting bored so I was looking to see what classes they have in the time slot. Good for me they have a different one everyday. I watched the Monday one this morning, and I liked what I saw. That one will be one I'll hit and then from the schedule I'll like the Thursday one also. I've seen the Tuesday one and I'm still thinking about that. It won't hurt me to try, right?

I'll get back with you when I've tried them.

Practice what you've learned

Just recently I read a post on www.mommatrainer.com about going on vacation. You know the getting out of your workout routine, your eating routine etc. Most of us think about that has bad and totally forget what we've learned (mostly about eating out and unhealthy). Trainer momma put it into perspective for me (and lots of others I'm sure) it's not time to forget what your learned it's a time to practice what you've learned.

I've literally been gone away from home (either out of town or gone more hours than home) 8 of the last 12 days. I did get my work outs in the majority of the time that I was actually in town, but I didn't eat. I usually eat 3 meals and 3 snacks a day, by the 2nd day gone this week, I was wiped out! After giving it some thought I realized that I had not eaten enough that day and there hadn't been any veggies. I corrected that next day and also upped my water intake. I felt much better.

It wasn't a time to blow off my healthy eating it was a time to 'Practice what I'd learned'

results ~ June 10

- 3/4 pound
- 1.50 inches

YAY, YAY, YAY

reference books

There are only 2 books that my friend/training has unofficially suggested.
She doesn't recommend books to her clients BUT since I also fall into the friend category she suggested them.

I've had this book all along (since 2/1) and constantly go to it for ideas.

I just got this one, but I already love the sub title
"Lift like a man, Look like a goddess".

5k training

Today's 5k was in 40:05 .....
ooooo I didn't like getting that last little
bit done before the 40 minute mark!

At the beginning, I got a cough. I hate when this happens.
When I start to sweat (and boy do I sweat) my sinuses start
to drip, thus I get a cough. I got it handled in a few minutes.
BUT still wasted time! valuable time!

5k training

My body was tired,

I couldn't focus, first my shoes were tied too tight, then they were too loose, then I had a renegade hair that wouldn't stop bugging me.... need I go on? ... I just couldn't focus!

I kept pushing the wrong button on the treadmill thus shutting the crazy thing off!

This caused me to want to scream!

I didn't want to but I did it finish the 5k not scream in 40 minutes.

results ~ June 3

This week ....
-1.25 pounds
-3/4 inches

This makes my total weight loss
since Feb 1, 2010
(drum roll please...)

-30 pounds
-19.50 inches

WOOOOOHOOOOOO!

5k Training

WOW I cut the time again!

this morning's

3.1 miles was in 39:48 minutes!

It really does a mind good to set a goal

(break the previous time) and then do it!

I don't think I have a goal set for the actual 5k.

I think I'd like to do it in 35 minutes BUT I have a couple of factors to weigh in.

#1 Can I really do that (mental game).

Cut an entire 5 minutes off!?!

#2 switching from the controlled treadmill

to an uncontrolled outside.

The latter could really go both ways for me, with out the visual of time/pace I may go faster longer than I do now, or I could not push myself as hard for as long.

I don't know, what I do know is that I'm a visual person so this could be a challenge for me.

5k training

Today's 5k Training was GREAT!

3.1 miles in 41:38 minutes

I knew I could cut time off of that 44 minutes.

Now the bar has been set, Can I cut more time off?!?

scary thought, I'll think about that on Monday!

Results ~ May 26

- 3.25 pounds

-.25 inches

Yay!

5k training ~

well, I messed it up this morning by trying to 'rethink' it!

5k in 43.50 minutes

(I decided to do my warm up in my 5k time which means that I walk at 3.5 for a few minutes and that messes with the over all average pace. This also means that in reality I did the 5k part in a quicker small YAY!)

upcoming 5k

Ok, several weeks ago I started
"Couch to 5k"
I got too drain (probably not enough water) for about a week right in the middle of it so it fell by the way side.

Well, today I decided I would do the 5k.
I don't have to run it all, I can do whatever it takes to get done.

Let the training begin!
Today I walked/jogged a 5k on the treadmill in 44 minutes.

I have about 4 weeks to improve that time!

Biggest Loser tip

I am a fan of the Show





I'm highly motive by the hard work, the challenges and of the losses, of course.



I find someone that is about my size (when I was bigger) and watch their progress and the physical gains their body goes through.

Throughout the show they give us, the viewers tips and a couple of weeks ago the tip was.

Eat a strict diet a couple days a week
Eat a moderate diet a couple days a week
and then take off a couple of days a week (still eating healthy)

Your body then won't go into starvation mode and you'll be able to drop weight quicker.

I have done this through out my weight loss this time.
I eat anything I want on the weekends and I usually see a drop in my weight on Mondays!

I can say one thing that my body is highly sensitive to cheese. So if my 'anything I want' consist of a cheese product (even the slightest bit) then there is a 'clog in the plumbing' (if you know what I mean) and I won't see a drop in weight for a few days. I try to steer clear of cheese products as my "anything I want" things.

Intervals

My friend
and fitness director was at the gym yesterday
told me to do intervals.

High cardio for 1 minute
drop to a lower cardio for 1 or 2 minutes
then back to high cardio
keep this up for the entire work out
and my body will burn fat longer after I'm done working out.

Hey, I'm all about my body working long after I'm done!
So yesterday I jogged a lap on the indoor track, walked a lap.
Keeping this up for 35 minutes!

Broke through

My weight plateau broke yesterday

the Tempter can stay

for now!

Results May 21

+1.25 pounds

Yea, a +

0 inches gained

0 inches lost

I've informed

the Tempter

(see below)

if I gain another pound

I'm moving him out!

OK, I know he isn't really to blame

but it's time for a scapegoat!

Tempter

This young handsome man is a TEMPTER!

He comes bearing goodies and sweets.

He comes with a smoothing tone that says,

"As much as you work out you CAN have this!"

and this silver tongued devil is home now!

It will take time to get him under control

BUT I'll keep working on it

and I'll put him in his place!

May's Picture

May 16, 2010

176 pounds

size 10 skirt

large top

results for May 13

-2 pounds

- 2.25 inches

Feelin' good!

results all over

This is the time of year that I get all my medical visits done

(before school is out).

Even though my blood pressure hasn't ever been high

(usually 120/80)

I've noticed that it's fallen and not just a bit but alot (or it seems to me!)

113/64.

I'm still waiting for the results for the blood work I had done last week..... Like watching a pot waiting for it to boil!

Special Report ~ Results, May 7

I'm breaking in with a special results report!

25 pounds

lost thus far!

There are a few people that I'd like to Thank

Michelle and Debi ~ for helping my find my tatas

*they were lost in the rolls before*

W for reminding me that eating a 'not healthy' meal wasn't the end of the world

Megan for knowing and saying who is really responsible for the pooch

*my children*

Hubby for being ready to eat healthy too

and last but certainly not least

Sonic, Red Robin, McDonald's

for helping give me the 25 pounds in the first place to lose!

I hope I never forget what you've done!

Results ~ May 5

-2.75 pounds

-.75 inches

No more coasting

the train is moving again!

From a Blob to spot training!

When I started this workout, life change process I was a blob. There was not one single place that didn't need work! NOW I've actually got a couple places that need work.

I have a pooch, and I don't mean a dog. I mean a belly pooch. I had a grandma that had a pooch and now I have the pooch. It's the last thing to leave and the first thing to arrive. If someone looks at me from the direct front or the direct back they'll not notice it, but once I turn to the side WHOA sista watch out! There's my pooch.

W was making fun on my 'mom jeans' the other day, and I informed him that I needed the higher waist to contain the pooch! He encouraged me to 'unleash' the pooch. That's just more that I can handle right now!

So now I'm trying to spot train the pooch!

Coasting

OK, I've been coasting this week on my exercise and counting calories.

I haven't eat bad things but I haven't been counting or paying much mind to portions.

It's not anyone needs to tell me because the scale has told me enough!

Time to stop coasting and get on with the show!

Hello my name is Shelly and I'm an addict.....

OK, it's time for me to discuss my addiction to High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).

It's real, It's addictive and it's everywhere!

I know that if I eat something sweet for breakfast I'm doomed all day.
I'm snacky, I wander around the kitchen wondering what there is to eat.
If I can stay away from HFCS then I'm fine and relatively satisfied all day.

Now that I've been off (or much lower amounts) HFCS for several weeks, junk food and sweets still have their appeal (due to mental conditioning) but they don't taste good.

I generally take weekend off from counting calories and eat basically anything I want. I found 3 oreos, popped them in my mouth and they were nasty tasting. When I was done I thought these weren't worth the calories at all! I'd done the same thing with some M&Ms at Easter. I popped a few in my mouth and swore they were dark chocolate. This is not to say I couldn't go ahead and nibble the entire bag of either goodies! Eating for me is just as much mental has it is taste and necessity.

Watching what I eat is and will be a constant issue.

Results ~ April 22

- 3/4 of a pound

- 2 inches

Yay for me!

I love it....

I have something that my totally in shape, stinking muscular 19 year old son doesn't have. Yea, he doesn't have this muscle and I'm so thrilled.

Do you know how many times I've tried to enjoy my new found muscles only for him to flaunt his fantabulous muscles in my face? WAY too many times! OH, I got off the point there....

In the front of my shins, when I flex my foot I have this muscle that beautifully appears. When I showed it off to stinking muscular son ... BAM ~ he had nothing! He then had to put on the mental cap and figure out what I was doing that he wasn't!

LOVE that moment!

April 14 ~ Results

-2 pounds

-zero inches

This marks

-10.59%

Super YAY for me!

is it the same?

Today I'd seen a lady that I'd not really seen since Christmas. She kept going on about how good I looked.

She said it just I was getting into the car with my buddy, Stephanie. I closed the door I turned to Stephanie and said, "is that the same as her saying 'Boy, you use to look horrible?'"

We had a good laugh.

This great little guide is one of my favorites.

It's just chuck full of healthy tidbits!

I've just learned about that age old question

butter?

stick margarine?

tub spreads?

OK I'm sure the rest of you have all this down and KNOW

what is the best for you but I didn't.

Well, now I do ....

Tip #119

vegetable spread in a tub is the best

Stick butter is good for baking those

occasional goodies

AND

Stick Margarine is NEVER good!

I was sick

Last night I went out to eat. It's not that I don't eat out but I always know what I'm going to eat and what it is and how many calories it is before I go. Last night we went to a locally owned place (that is/was one of my favs).

I snacked on chips and salsa. Not nearly as many as I have done in the past, but snacked just the same! I ordered what I thought was more healthy (chicken fajitas) than I usually order.

By the time I was done I was sick and I don't mean alittle sick I mean feeling nasty sick. I don't mean sick from what I ate, but sick from eating things my body wasn't use to anymore.

It was still daylight so we walked around the square before getting in the car to head home. I was hoping that alittle exercise would make me feel better, but NO. I laid in bed and just wish I could 'rid my body' of this meal. I didn't but I fell asleep and finally woke up this morning feeling better but with the memory of that BAD BAD feeling of last night.

Thank you body for letting me know it's not good to eat like that!

Today at the Y

Today I headed to the Y after G's soccer game.

I walked the inside track a couple of times
then ran it 3 times
then alternated walking and run for the next 30 minutes.

When I was done with that
I got on the elliptical for another 30 minutes

Momma's got New Shoes

Summer Black Bean Salad/Salsa

All I can say... Heaven in a bowl!
I believe I love cilantro, I've never cooked with it (or mixed with it in this case) but it is perfect in this salad.

OH Oh oh I can't wait to put this on a chip, or add my Quinoa to it. This could just very well, make EVERYTHING taste better!

Summer Black Bean Salad/Salsa
by www.trainermomma.com
3 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
3 cans shoepeg white corn, rinsed and drained
2 cucumbers, chopped
1 green, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 orange pepper, chopped
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
3-4 tomatoes, chopped2 large avocados, chopped
Homemade Italian dressing
Basically, get ready to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP!
Dump it all in a very large bowl and mix with Italian dressing to taste (I used about half of the dressing I mixed up).

Eat as leftovers, add some baked tortilla chips and eat as salsa, pour over baked/grilled chicken or salmon.
This salad is soooo versatile and delicious.
It will be your go-to salad from now on.... oh yes it will!

150 calories per one cup

Homemade Italian Dressing
Adapted from www.allrecipes.com
Dry Italian Seasonings
Mix:1 Tb garlic salt
1 Tb onion powder
1 Tb white sugar
2 Tb dried oregano
1 t ground black pepper
1/4 t dried thyme
1 t dried basil
1 Tb dried parsley
1/4 t celery salt

In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients.

For a dressing, whisk together 1/4 apple cider vinegar, 2/3 cup canola oil, 2 T water, and 2 T of the dry Italian mix.

My day off ....

Thursday is my usual day off from exercise

and goodness my body needs a break.

This week I decided that I was going to push my

exercise to the point that I did in the beginning of the Slim Down.

Now that I'm more fit the push is harder and my body

(my legs specifically)

can feel it.

I need this day!

new exercise

Yesterday I asked 'my trainer' Michelle to show me a good setup.

She is not a fan of the traditional crunch

so she showed me her favorite abdominal exercise.

you get on the exercise ball like this

well, maybe with the ball alittle higher on your legs

and then you pull your knees up to your belly.

Rolling the ball up.

Yes, she made it look so easy. I didn't make it look so easy.

AND I can tell you that there is NOT a graceful, ladylike way to get off the ball!

hmmmm it was tasty

Yesterday I was sitting in my trainer's office, well, she was first my friend and I suppose since I don't currently pay her she is back to being my friend (we attend church together). She was eating her lunch of Quinoa and baby spinach leaves.

We got to discussing Quinoa. I'd heard Dr Oz prompt the wonders of Quinoa, but once I walked away from the TV I never thought of it again.

It's a tasty whole grain, similar to couscous only better! She had hers flavored with garlic and I tried to flavor mine with garlic but it wasn't flavored (I suppose not enough).

I had mine with fresh asparagus... goodness it was good!

April 7 ~ results

The numbers don't really tell the whole story of this week.

Remember that this past weekend was a birthday weekend and Easter.

so given that ......

- 3/4 of a pound

- zero inches

I'm elated because on Monday morning it wasn't even close to these numbers!

workout today!

Today was a cross training class day.

We spend the first 25 minutes getting our heart rates up by doing step aerobics. (I have 1 riser under my step ~ I started with nothing but after the first 5 weeks I knew I could add a riser.

Then we move on to weights strengthening our arms, legs, sit ups (on the ball). After about 10 minutes of this we go back to the step to get our heart rate back up. After about 7 minutes of step we go back to the weights and ball. This class last for 50 minutes.

Today before class the instructor encouraged us to get a heavier weight than we usually use ..... I grabbed the 12 pounders for the first time. It turned out to be an OK move.

When we were done she told us that this workout had been equivalent to 7miles! YAY!

Easter picture

Easter Sunday

with my boys

I believe weighing around 184

in a size L shirt!

I originally got this (a couple of months ago)

little handy dandy gadget for the blender

(for making smoothies)

but I have since fell inlove for the 'chopper' bowl.

I just rough cut my veggies(carrots, broccoli, cauliflower etc),

drop them in and press the button and presto I have

a chopped veggie salad.

I then just add dressing and it's aperfect mixed veggie salad.

April 1st deadline

Well, I didn't make it to my Goal for April 1st
BUT I'm still thrilled with my loss so farI've loss
18.75 pounds
over 13 inches
Since February 1st

When I went shopping at Christmas I was looking in the Women's Clothing. Yesterday when I was shopping I wasn't even near the Women's clothes!
YAY Yay yay ME!

Slim Down final results

Since February 1st
6 weeks ago
-15.5 pounds
-12.25 inches
of me

GONE!
Not here
poof
disappeared
shrunk
melted
This time losing weight has been different my whole body lost weight. Usually I just lose weight in my hips and legs but as you can tell by the inches lost I've lost it all over!
4 inches in my chest
3.75 inches in my waist
3 inches in my hips
1.5 in my right thigh
now I'm going to keep moving so I can get to
a total of 20 pounds GONE by the end of March!
Stay Tuned....

Slim Down week #6 results

Results Week #6
-1.25 pounds
-1.75 inches
This was a shortened week
so 3 cheers for me
Yay, Yay, Yay!

Slim Down week #5 results

Results of Week #5
- 3.5 pounds
-1.5 inches
Super Yay!
things I've learned
along the way ~
Get to class early
today was too full I couldn't get in!
and just where did they come from?
Don't wear my gray shirt, stick to the white ones
the gray shows sweaty pits, sweaty neck, and the ever so lovely sweaty 'smiles' under my breast!
On my Couch to 5k it comes in handy that I didn't start on the couch!
I've had to move up faster ~ which is good!

C25K

Today I started this program.It was time to shake up my workout routine and what better way than to start running. Well, let's be honest it's mild jog! Not to be confused with a wild hog!

Slim Down week #4 results

Results week #4
-1 pound
-1.25 inches
of me GONE!
Gone! Gone! Gone!
Things I've learned
in week #4
I don't ever want to be the lady that wears her jewelry, her nice clothes and full make up while working out!
Yes, I've seen 'her' but I've not seen her perspire!
Gum is my friend
it changes the taste in my mouth, so I know that the meal is over!
I think it's time to put a riser under my step
the workout is becoming too easy
I always thought I had a 'bad leg'
all it was needed to be worked out! It's a GREAT leg!
It's still hard to find time for me
even after 4 weeks
I like to work out
but it's time to 'shake things' up with my workout.

Slim Down week #3 Results

Results #3
-1.25 pounds
-.75 inches
Have you been adding it all up?
I have!
Yay me!
Things I've learn
Week #3
I've found Broccoli Cole slaw
I have this with low fat salad dressing instead of iceberg lettuce.
I think I'm getting more 'good stuff' than plain ol' lettuce
and Campbell's V8 soups

Tomato Herb is my favorite!
and I don't like tomato soup!
and I like the Broccoli one, too
I didn't care so much for the Southwest Corn one.
This low impact class that I take MWF
is really called Cross Training!

Slim Down week #2 results

Week #2 Results
-1.5 pounds &
-2 inches!
once again
Yay Me!
Things I've learned
in week #2
*my body is adjusting to lower calories & working out*
doesn't mean it doesn't mess with my head
*I've now met all of my team in the Slim Down
I'm the youngest*
but just by a few months with Phil
but then we're about 13 years younger than the rest.
*There seem to be only a couple of us that are into the whole process*
and we lured the other 4 into it with us.
*I like my workout class*
there is a man that really jives in it
*There is a wide variety of people at the Y during the day*
including the man with the braided beard with bells at the end of it. This gives me something to think about on the elliptical machine "just how does he sleep with those long 2 belled braids?"
*I have to stick with the program*
even when my body isn't reacting.

Slim Down Week #1 results

the results
week #1
Me -6.5 pounds!
& -5 inches of me
YAY Me!
things I've learned
week #1
*I won't die in my class*
I thought I was dying several times last week
*I have to make time for me*
every morning
*I work out harder alone*
I can stay focused
*I have to eat*
I have a routine & I stick to it
*I have more energy*
no afternoon naps anymore
I have to shave my legs more carefully*
I continually missed the same spot all last week
*I stand up straighter*
shoulders pulled back, tummy tucked
*I don't like to work out next to people that wear a scent*
I don't want my dying breathe filled with a soapy smell!
*Good music helps*
Fergie, Justin, 70's, Christina, the Peas
*My aches and pains are gone*
well, my old aches and pains
*I actually like planks*
well....lets not go over board with that!
*I can do this*
and I am

Slim Down day #1 (02/01/10)

This morning marked our first weigh in and
workout with our "Biggest Loser" type program at the local Y.
I knew what I weighed so it wasn't a surprise.

I weigh 203 pounds

my measurements are

Chest 41"

Waist 40.25"

Hip 45"

Thigh 25.75"

to my knowledge this is the biggest I've ever been!

My friend Stephanie goes at 8 and does the water aerobics.
I meet her there for an hour of working out together.
Today we did the Elliptical machine.
then I went to a low impact aerobics class.
In the middle of the class I swore I was going to die.
So it must have been doing good, right?
I made it all the way through the class.

Then I came home and got out my Calorie King program.
I love this program it makes watching what I eat a breeze.
*I paid $50 for this program eons ago and they still allow me to download new foods, BUT there is a similar program that is free. I don't recall the name right now, but if you're interested just look around.

Where it all began

In order for me to always remember where I came from (and where I could be again) here are my before pictures. They aren't pretty but they are the reality of my body.

Christmas Eve 2009

New Year's at Midnight 2010
Gotta love those Chins!

let's see how many are there in this picture,

when I'm not even trying to make them

I think I see 4!