Week One EXERCISE

Sunday Exercise
30 minute walk with Lil Man and Sasha
20 minute toning circuit (25 squats, 25 push ups and 50 sit ups /2X)

Monday Exercise
40 minute walk
15 minute toning circuit ( same as Sunday only once threw though)

Tuesday Exercise
30 minute walk

Wednesday Exercise
15 minute toning circuit (same as Sunday)

Thursday Exercise
I didn't do any formalized exercise this day, although I did help set up tables and chairs then take them down again.

Friday Exercise
Again nothing, hopefully next week will be better for consistency.

Saturday Exercise
Today I had a trade show in Sedgewick so I didn't get anything done for exercising.

I am going to keep the same goals for next weeks exercising, Cardio 5X, Toning 3X and eating right 6 X.  I get one Fatday, where I get to eat above my calories and enjoy food.  But I can't eat just bad food, but I get to have a few snacks.

Ok so here is the beginning of my 6 week challenge.  Participant ME!!!

First step is to set my goals, long term and short term.
Long term goal: In six weeks to lose 6-10 pounds by eating right and exercising frequently.
Short term goal: During week one I will do five cardio and 3 toning exercises for a minimum of 30 minutes a day for cardio and 15 minutes a session for toning, I will also eat within my 1400 calories 6 times a week.

Now for the measurements section
Beginning measurements:
Weight 1XX (no I am not saying that number :P)
Neck: 13.5 inches
Shoulders: 42 inches
Bust: 43 inches
Chest (under armpits and across) : 36 inches
Thigh: 25 inches
Calf: 15 inches
bicep: 13 inches
Hips: 45 inches
Waist 1 (smallest part of waist): 35 inches
Waist 2 (over belly button): 39 inches

So there's the dark and dirty of where I am beginning.  I will then let you know how many lbs I am down each week.  Don't worry that 1 in my weight won't disappear.

I would like to attach the goal charts I am using so when I figure that out I will lead you to the links!!!

Running, running anywhere

I am starting to enjoy running again. I have gone out twice (well I know it's not much but still) and I thoroughly enjoyed myself both times.

I have done a 4 km run and 5 km run.  The 5 I did last night and it took me 30 minutes, I am terrible at telling time when I am working out and I couldn't tell if it was longer or shorter than 30 minutes. I have decided that next time I go out I am going to plan out my route so that it's longer.  Maybe 7 km and build myself up to 10 km by the time my friend Alex gets here, then I can try to take her on a run with me.

So that's what I did yesterday, and today I went for a walk.  It took us an hour to walk to the library and back.  It was a good walk, like 4 miles, which is like 9 km.  I enjoy walking to the library, I get books and I get to be outside with lil man enjoying the summer weather.

What I've learned in the past 6 months

I am literally amazed with myself.  I have stuck it out with One to 1 Fitness and have been on a diet and exercise regime that has not only shown me physical results but has also made me fell better about myself as well.  


There are a few things I have learned and come to appreciate in the past 6 months that I think should be shared with everyone.  


1) The number on the scale means less than what it is valued at by most people.  Muscle takes up less space than fat but a smaller area of muscle could weigh more than a larger area of fat.  It's not that muscle weighs more than fat, but it's more compact and won't take up as much space, but the number on the scale does not know that.
2) Energy levels are more important than the number on the scales, it doesn't matter what the scale says, it's what your body allows you to do, and how well you can function throughout the day.
3) Diet is very important to maintaining and losing weight, it's more important than exercise.  This I didn't believe in the beginning but I am finding that it is more true than I would like to give it credit for.
4) Clothing size is different for all designers and in some clothes I may be a size 12 and in others I may be a size 8, all that really matters is how I feel with the clothes on.
5) No one's opinion matters except my own when it comes to my own body.  Not everyone is going to like what they see, but as long as I like what I see, then I should take my happiness from that.


Those are the top five things I have learned, but I have learned more things as well.
6) Squats with one leg on a step with your foot pointed at an angle hurt your inner thighs.
7) running suicides SUCKS!!  Especially when you go full out, I need to work on my fast endurance because it is horrible right now.
8) I can do a real push up it's hard work, but I can do them, but a modified push up allows me to do more repetitions.
9) I have more strength then I am aware of, I must push myself to get more results and to push myself I can't be afraid to try heavier weights.
10) A sports bra is a necessity when working out, a regular bra does not keep the sisters in place.

UPDATE!!!

As many of you have read (I think it's only two or three people but hey it's a start I guess) I had begun a six week workout session with a personal trainer at One to 1 fitness.  This six week program is designed to help you loss weight by changing eating habits and doing some amazing workouts.  I know if my trainer reads this it may go to his head, but I vowed to be honest in my blogs and the workouts are hard, but I am able to push myself through them and I am seeing results.

When I had my initial consultation I was asked to give a short intreview in a camera to tell everyone why I signed up and what my goals were for the six week program.  I told everyone that I had signed up because I wanted to lead a healthier life and I wanted to have a healthier body and lifestyle.  My goal for the six week program was to lose 20 pounds.  It seems like a lot of weight, and I will admit that it is but it was half of all the weight I essentially want to lose by June.  By June I hope to be down to my ideal weight and then I will spend June to August and further on maintaining that weight.  They also asked me to identify my biggest obstacle in my weightloss journey.  That was easy, it's my eating habits, the snacking and junk food that I would eat. 

I have had quite the wake up call to the food I am ingesting.  I enjoyed those Fibre One bars, and cereal bars and those things, but they are not that healthy for you.  I have survived kicking sugar out of my diet, and I haven't had many cravings for sugar,  there have been a few, but I have been able to distract myself from eating anything that is high in sugar.  I thought it would be hard, especially with two children at home and a husband, or soon to be husband that was not necessarily interested in changing his diet plans. He still likes junk food, chocolate milk and his beer.   I have not been drinking anything since this started, and I may have a night or two where I drink and stuff, but I am going to be very conscious of my decisions.  Everything in moderation and really some things should be limited.

I really thought I would struggle more with eating, and there are a few times when I do struggle, but the biggest change that has happened, well the two big changes that have happened have made things easier than I expected.  The first change was cutting the processed sugar from my diet, that's all those corn syrups, fructose, glucose sugars that are manufactured and not really healthy for you.  I have supplemented in Splenda for those times when I have to have a sweetener on a product to be able to ingest it.  I tried to eat oatmeal a few times without sugar and I thought I was going to choke on it, I could barely swallow it, it just did not taste good.  But they have brown sugar splenda now so that makes things much better.  The other change has been the cutting back of prepackaged food.  I don't eat very many frozen meals or frozen meat products anymore.  We eat more fresh prepared food that is homemade.  It's been a big change because we were completely a family of convenience.  The funny thing is, when we make a meal from scratch it really only takes an average of 20 minutes longer to prepare and then we have so many leftovers afterwards for lunches and stuff that it is very much worth those extra 20 minutes. 

So now here is the update on my results at the half way mark of my six week journey.  I am down 9 pounds from when I first weighed in at One to 1.  I have lost 6+ inches since starting with them.  Those inches have come from my chest (2), waist (3) and glutes (1).  So there have been some definite gains from this program. 

Last night I didn't want to go, I wasn't feeling well, but I dragged my butt down there and I did my work out, it was worth it! I am glad I did it and I felt better when I got home, so now for the next 3 weeks I am making a goal to be more diligent to my meal plans and to actually work out more then the 3 times a week with the group class.  I will let you know more results as I find them!!!

I am surviving on No Sugar

So after a horrible day on Thursday and  a not great evening on Friday I think my body is finally adjusting to the lower sugar intake.  Which is frankly amazing.  I am still getting headaches in the evening and I am not sure why that is happening, but I am going to ask my trainer tomorrow about that.

As for the rest of the training it's going really well. We had  workout last night and I push my group to finish two circuits of the training.  I was exhausted by the end and my muscles are starting to stiffen up today but I really felt good about completing the workout.  I really do enjoy working out in group settings so I think to keep myself active I have just maintain signing up for workout classes throughout the year.  That way my caloric intake can be a bit higher and I can have some of those snacks that I can't eat right now while I am trying to get my metabolism up. 

The results are in though, I have already got back to my pre- Christmas weight.  So there are pay offs for working out, and that makes me extremely happy.  This show is on the road and I am going to excel at it!!!!

30 Day Challenge Day 17

Challenge Day!!!!
Add 15 minutes of exercising to each day you work out.

This is what I call my commercial break exercising. For those of us with PVR choose one 60 minute show a week that you usually PVR and watch it during it's regular scheduled time. The challenge is to do 2 different exercises each commercial break.  It's not much but it will add 15 minutes of exercising to your day. 
I will be running the program like this.
first break : Cardio jogging in place
                  Strength: arms bicep curls
second break: Cardio: punching
                      Strength: arms tricep exercise
third break: Cardio: jump rope
                   Strength: squats
Fourth Break: cardio: cross country skiing
                     Strength lunges
Fifth break: Cardio: high knees
                  Strength: push ups
Sixth break: Cool Down Stretching
If all commercial breaks are 3 minutes in length that means you would spend a minute and a half on each exercise then switch.  It's not an exact science but it would make watching commercials more enjoyable :D

30 Day challenge Day 15

We are half way through, have you made any changes to your program if so what are they?  Do you want to make changes?

I have not made any changes. I would like to make some changes, more exercising, and more involvement from my family in these changes.  I am hoping to initiate an exercise schedule for our house for 7:30 to 8:30 each night.  Hopefully things will work out and we will keep this challenge going long after the 30 days.

30 Day challenge day 10

Who do you count on when you are making lifestyle changes to support you and encourage you to continue?


I wish I had a lot of support people in place.  But it seems that everyone is so busy and no one makes time for each other anymore. I don't have a gym buddy and Adrian doesn't seem interested in becoming my workout buddy.  Maybe I need to ask him again. I wish I lived closer to some of my friends who are in the same situation as I am, then we would be going to the gym together and signing up for the same workout classes. 
 
This is hard, but I do depend on myself and Adrian even though he won't workout with me.  That's not a really fair statement as I haven't really asked him and I do my exercising when he is not home, I guess to rectify this situation I should ask him to workout with me after the children have gone to bed. We both may have more energy at night if we do that.
 
So I guess I depend mostly on myself but I have realized that I need to broaden my circle of support in order to be really successful!!

30 day challenge Day five

What is your favourite type of exercise program?

My favourite type of exercising program would be any type of combination program.  I love doing cardio work outs, but I love strength training as well.  When I used to go running at the Collicut I would do weights for 15 minutes afterwards as well.  And of course a great program must have an ab portion to it or I would be greatly disappointed.  I have a great foundation for exercising I just have to continue working on it so that I can reach my goals.  I have done it before I can do it again!!!

30 Day challenge day 4

What hurdles do you face when trying to change habits like eating and exercising?

The hurdles I seem to face when I am trying to change my eating and exercise habits come from my excuse bag.  I will say I can’t change my diet too much because I have to make supper for three boys that I live with.  But, really, why can’t they change their eating habits for me.  And if I cook it, then they eat it or they make their own.  Little Man isn’t a big hurdle because he is still young, but  I do have to keep his calories up so he can grow into a big guy (I don’t mean fat, I just mean so he doesn’t become a midget lol)  I use my family as an excuse not to exercise as well.  It will be I have to hang out with them or I have to find a sitter and stuff like that, it’s not good but those are my hurdles, although I am fighting those hurdles and trying to make justifications to exercise instead of the other way around.

30 Day Challenge Day 2

Where you would like to be in 30 days of consistent exercising and healthy eating?

So after some careful consideration I have decided that I would like to be in a very differnt mind set in the next thirsty days.  I feel that I am my own worst enemy.  I need to be more active and I need to stop making excuses for my inactivity.  I can be very active but I am easily distracted by television shows or the computer and will use those activities as excuses not to do fitness activities. 
 
So I have decided that I would like to lose a total of 3 inches in the next thirty days.  That would be an all over lose but it would definitely be a start to getting me jumping ahead of my New Years resolution. I have to buy a wedding dress in about a month, and I DO NOT WANT TO BE FAT!!!!
 
So I have decided that I need to do the following and I will keep an checklist for myself to help me reach my thirty day goal of a loss of 3 total inches.  I mean it may be half an inch here a quarter of an inch there but it will be a loss and it will be a start I do not believe that is asking too much.  I have to work out everyday, I can't eat junk food or pop, and I must increase my veggie  and fruit intake. 
 
I will be posting another blog in regards to my journey on information I find.  I was sent an email about eating fruit and it was really interesting so when I get home I will definitely post it here to share with all of you.
 
So far I have 4 girls joining me on a Biggest Loser challenge so this should be very motivating!!!

So here's my new challenge....

On my other blog I am doing a thirty day challenge to keep writing on the blog, to fill the blog with stuff that is about me.  Some of the blogs are longer and some are shorter but it keeps my writing focused and gives me a goal to keep in mind.

So I have decided that for the next 30 days I must blog, by reporting on different changes I am adding to my life for the different goals I have set.  So the most important goal for me right now is the fitness goal.  Therefore, I am going to begin that 30 day challenge.

Here is what to expect over the next thirty days.  I will be blogging about my thirty day challenge using the Wii programs I have.  The first one I will be using is Wii Active, the others I will use are Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus and Jillian Michael's Bootcamp. 

1) What are your starting fitness level for you at this moment in time?
2) Where you would like to be in 30 days of consistent exercising and healthy eating?
3) What is the start of your fitness challenge.  What programs are you using and who is helping you reach your goals?
4) What hurdles do you face when trying to change habits like eating and exercising?
5) What is your favourite type of exercise program?
6) What is your reward for sticking to a program?
7) Seven days in what are your results right now.  Is there a change in weight, energy or motivation?
8) When do you exercise?
9) Holidays can be very detrimental to exercising and dieting, what is your plan to get through the holidays without jeopardizing your routine?
10) Who do you count on when you are making lifestyle changes to support you and encourage you to continue?
11) What are your problem areas that you feel need to be worked on the most?
12) What areas of your body to you like the best?
13) Name and exercise program you have heard of but have never tried that you would like to try and tell us why?
14) Fourteen days in summarize your results again.
15) Half way through have you made changes to your program, if so what are they?  Would you like to make changes to your program?
16) What do you do for a warm up?
17) Challenge: It's been 17 days how are the results going?  Challenge yourself to add another 15 minutes of exercising to each day you work out.  Tell us what it is.
18) What are your favourite seasonal activities that change up your exercising routine?
19) Describe the changes you have made to your diet to help you reach your fitness goals.
20) What is your workout playlist?
21) Less than 10 days to go, summarize your results.
22) What is your cool down routine?
23) What is your least favourite type of exercising?
24) What popular exercising/ dieting programs have you tried or researched?  Do they work?
25) What is your ideal weight and are you there?
26) The media bombards us with images of famous people and they criticize them for their weight, what is your opinion on what the "real" people should strive to be?  What type of body image do you want for your children if you have any or for younger people in general?
27) Do you watch the Biggest Loser?  Why or why not?
28) Have you ever entered into a Biggest Loser competition? Why or why not?
29) How have you felt completing this challenge?
30) Last day summarize your results.  What is your next 30 day challenge?

Swimming and Exercising

On the fast track to getting into shape.  There are so many things that I have been doing to try to lose this baby fat weight.  I am not one of those lucky people who drops weight while breast feeding.  Let me correct that, I did drop weight in the beginning, but as he stopped eating as frequently I stopped dropping the weight and without even realizing it I packed it back on. 

With that being said I have made changes in my life to accommodate my goals to lose weight for the wedding and for my life in general.  Stepping onto the scale and seeing XXX pounds was not a happy time for me.  Now I can say that I have lost 5% of my body weight and I have reached a lose of 26% of my goal weight which means I am well on my way to where I want to be.

The month of November has been incredibly busy.  I have been doing some kind of activity for at least forty minutes each night.  Forty minute swimming classes with Little Man, and then two hours of work out classes Tuesday and Thursday and an hour work out class on Friday.  That leaves my weekends free to spend time with the family doing Family activities.  I don't even miss my television on the nights that I am busy.  I just PVR the shows and watch them on days that I am not working. Which really isn't ideal either but it is what it is.

Now I need to keep this momentum up.  I have a gift card to one to one fitness that I will use during the month of December.  Monday's and Wednesday's would be a great days to go and work out with a personal trainer or just to go work out.  I need the motivation.  I need to post a picture of myself at the weight I want to reach and then just keep envisioning myself at that weight, (put the secret to work).  Then in January when the new look 'n book comes out book myself in for at least three classes and figure out what to do on Monday and Wednesdays.

Well let's hope that by the time December rolls around I will see some actual visible results which will keep me motivated to work out through the holiday season!!!

Anyone have any suggestions for types of work out classes that are fun to participate in ??

Total Body Blast

So this week began my six weeks of exercise classes.  I began on Friday going to a class called Total Body Blast.  I wasn't sure what to expect but it seemed like a good class. Mostly because it conveniently fit into my schedule and did not really interfere with Leigham's bedtime routine too much.  So to the Rec Center I headed.

First thing I would like to say is the instructor was very welcoming and very supportive.  She pushed but not too hard, and was always encouraging me through my workout.  Since I hadn't really done anything since March, when I stopped going to Crossfit.  (I don't know why I stopped, I just did, it was getting nice outside, figured I would stay motivated doing things outside....ooops I was wrong)  So I was a little slow but I was able to make it through the whole workout without dying of exhaustion.

It was a workout that's for sure.  My muscles were shaking as I left the Rec Center.  I knew I was going to be hurting the next day or the day after.  And do I ever feel it today.  Muscles I forgot I had, are crying out in protest, but not is so much pain that I am thinking I will never do that again. In fact I can't wait to start my next class. 

I am starting Firm Up Aerobics on  Tuesday. It goes Tuesday and Thursday and then I will have Total Body Blast on Friday.  It's going to be busy but in such a good way I am very excited.  Soon the numbers on my scale won't make me groan inwardly!!!

Life Style Life Interrupted

I have been working so hard to reach my weight loss that goal that I seem to neglect my other goals.....  I tend to do that get very focused on one thing and put blinders on to the rest.  I am getting up every morning and turning on my work out DVD.  I am feeling that I am going to have to start doing some other things as well to increase the effectiveness of this work out routine, but so far it's going great.

One happy thing to report is I have been watching my scale.  I have completed 14% of my weight loss goal, and dropped 6 pounds.  See now I am encouraged because I am seeing changes, not really seeing them in my clothes fit yet but it will come give me another 6 pounds and I will be floating down the road.  I guess it is true about working out, you will hit that hump where it just seems like everything is for naught, then all of a sudden you make it over and Voila things are moving forward.

Do I still have changes to make??  Most definitely, and I will make them.  Hopefully my family will support me in this and hopefully they will stop trying to sabotage my momentum.  Little Man is the worse for this at present.  He is not sleeping through the night again and he wakes up at odd hours just completely out of sorts.  I feel he may be teething, so hopefully this will end soon and he will get back into his routine. Tonight we are home alone and no one has to get up to work in the morning so he gets to cry it out.  I know it seems mean but I will go in and comfort him for a bit then it is time for him to fall back asleep and if that means he has to cry for an extended period of time then so be it.