Take it off Monday

So I am not really sure what week this is in my quest to a healthier me. But do you know what? I don't really care because I reached my first goal! Yes! 10 pounds are gone! Now if only I could find the time to get that mani/pedi!

Weight loss this week: - 1 lbs
Weight loss to date: 10 lbs

Weight left to lose: 14 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds (reached 4/6/2013)

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success:  Exercise, healthy eating, Slenderiix

Set-Backs: 

Exercise: Running on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

Take It off Monday | Week 10

I lost three pounds! Whoohoo! This brings my total weight loss back to 6 pounds. I had lost quite a bit while sick then gained most of it back on my recent road trip, so I am really happy. Additionally, I am wearing some clothes I haven't fit into in a while, so I think it is about time to take all my measurements and see how many inches I may have lost. Perhaps I'll give that another month.

This week was my first week using Slenderiix. And I totally noticed a difference in my appetite. I was not starving when I woke up, nor was I "snacky" during the day. I am continuing with Blogilates (Love!) as well as eating a low carb, low processed foods diet and drinking a ton of water. I'd love to hear how you are doing on your fitness goals and any tips and tricks keeping you motivated!

Weight loss this week: 3 lbs
Weight loss to date: 6 lbs

Weight left to lose: 14 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success:  Exercise, healthy eating

Set-Backs: 

Exercise: Running on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

Take it off Monday | Week 9

This was a tough week for me! Not much weight loss going on, but I did manage to eat fairly well and get in almost all my workouts. I'm back at it today and am excited to start something brand new to go along with my overall fitness program. In college I became hooked on a fat loss supplement that was basically speed and swore I'd never use one again. Fast forward twelve years, two kids, and several extra inches around my middle. I was approached to try out a relatively new weight loss aide and have decided to give it a go. Slenderiix is 100% homeopathic and has none of the speedy chemicals in many other supplements. The company promotes healthy eating including organic fruits and veggies as well as hormone and antibiotic-free pasture raised meats which my family is already into. I'll be sure to include my thoughts and feedback specific to this aspect of my health and fitness goals. If you want to know more about Slenderiix, comment below or send me a personal message.

Take It Off Monday | Week 8

The dust has settled after sickness hit our household and I am happy to say I have kept off the weight I lost while sick. I don't recommend getting a stomach flu to help with your weight loss program, but hey, I'll take it. As soon as I felt better and was able to hold down my food long enough to give me the energy I needed to exercise, I worked my butt off last week. I started running again on the treadmill and continued with my new favorite exercise, POP Pilates. I do think the hardcore exercise and eating well helped me stay on track.

Weight loss this week: 0 lbs
Weight loss to date: 6 lbs

Weight left to lose: 14 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success:  Exercise

Set-Backs: 

Exercise: Running on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

Take it off Monday | Week 7

So I wish I could say that I did really awesome this week and stayed on my exercise program and ate well causing a drop in the scale. And while I did ok, I had a stomach bug Saturday and Sunday. I have not been that ill since getting the flu with the kids two years ago. I even had to resort to drinking the kids Pedialyte. Blech! Still today my tummy cannot handle much. I have no idea how this will affect me next week, I know the loss was a fluke, but it did feel good to see a lower number on the scale. Perhaps with great diet and exercise this week I can see a similar number next week.

Weight loss this week: 3.5 lbs
Weight loss to date: 6 lbs

Weight left to lose: 14 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Continuing to exercise

Set-Backs: Getting sick

Exercise: Cardio on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

Take it off Monday | Week 6

OK, so I know it is Tuesday, but bare with me. I wasn't even going to post this week because I am so frustrated. I saw no improvement this week even after exercising four days. I'm not sure if it its from Valentine's Day pasta, cake and candy. Perhaps the Martini's I enjoyed with John, but good grief I didn't think I could sabotage my whole week in one day! Really trying to think positive and push forward, but a measly 2.5 lbs in six weeks does not get me excited.

Weight loss this week: 0 lbs
Weight loss to date: 2.5 lbs

Weight left to lose: 17.5 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Continuing to exercise

Set-Backs: Valentine's Day goodies, my period (maybe TMI but its the truth)

Exercise: Cardio on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

Take it Off Monday | Week 5

I'm really trying to focus on the fact that I reached my goal of exercising five times this week rather than the fact that I am up one pound. So High Five! and Ugh! at the same time. I'm hoping the extra pound is either from the fabulous sushi dinner John treated me too on Saturday or the yummy pizza we had with the kids after church yesterday. I know, I know, not the best food choice, but sometimes you've just gotta have an everything pizza with Jalapenos.

Weight loss this week: +1 lbs
Weight loss to date: 2.5 lbs

Weight left to lose: 17.5 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Working out 5 times this wee!

Set-Backs: Gained 1 lb

Exercise: Cardio on the treadmill and more Blogilates!

Take it off Monday | Week 4

Yay! I saw another drop on the scale this week. I really think it has to do with exercise. I didn't quite reach my goal of exercising five times, but I did manage to get in three work outs. On Thursday I did yoga (Inhale with Steve Ross--used to be on the Oxygen channel) and Friday and Saturday I chose POP Pilates. All three of these can be found on YouTube. YouTube is a great resource for finding different workouts. Variation is a must for me. When I fail to keep up with an exercise program, it is most likely because of boring repetition. Additionally, I must have jammin' music to keep me motivated. So, if you are in need of something to spice up your exercise routine, I recommend a search on YouTube.

Weight loss this week: 1.5 lbs
Weight loss to date: 3.5 lbs

Weight left to lose: 16.5 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Finding workouts I really like

Set-Backs: 

Exercise: 3 times ... My goal for this week is 5!

Take it off Monday | Week 3

I didn't want to step on the scale this morning let alone write this blog post. I just knew I hadn't lost any weight. But that wouldn't be very honest to my self or to this blog. There will always be set backs and with two toddlers and a husband who is gone twelve hours of the day, maintaining a regular exercise routine is just darn tough. And then there was the freezing, wet, and grey weather that just makes you want to curl up on the couch with something sweet to eat and yummy to drink or yummy to eat and sweet to drink ( I promise I didn't do that). This week I am happy I didn't gain and I will leave it at that.

Weight loss this week: 0 lbs
Weight loss to date: 2 lbs

Weight left to lose: 18 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Making fairly healthy meals, drinking lots of water

Set-Backs: Being really tired and a little down due to the yucky winter weather

Exercise: 1 video...My goal for this week is 5!

Take it Off Monday | Week 2

So I didn't loose any weight this week, but I didn't gain any either. Considering that I had raging PMS (John could probably attest to that) and gorged myself of buffalo chicken dip and beer yesterday, I think that's pretty good. I stuck to my plan of not drinking alcohol during the week and, in addition to cutting out the extra calories, I think I'm sleeping better too. John and I also worked out together 3 evenings this week. I really enjoy working out together for two reasons. Number one, he is a great motivator. Number 2, its a great way to spend the evenings doing something worthwhile, rather than plopping down in front of the TV.

Johns 49ers won their game yesterday. For them that means they are going to the Superbowl. For me that means I have a couple weeks to loose a few more pounds before I make the super yummy buffalo chicken dip again! In case you're interested, I've posted the recipe below.

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing

1/2 cup FRANK'S® REDHOT® Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce or FRANK'S® REDHOT® Buffalo Wing Sauce

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cups diced cooked chicken. (I roasted a chicken and used the breast meat but you can use 2 cans canned chicken too)

DIRECTIONS:

HEAT oven to 350°F. Place cream cheese into deep baking dish. Stir until smooth.

MIX in salad dressing, Frank's RedHot Sauce and cheese. Stir in chicken.

BAKE 20 min. or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables.

Weight loss this week: 0 lbs (ahem, did you see the recipe above?)
Weight loss to date: 2 lbs

Weight left to lose: 18 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Working out 3 days this week, still not drinking alcohol during the week

Set-Backs: Beer and snacks during the game on Sunday

Exercise: Video three evenings this week. My goal for this week is 5!

Take it off Monday | Week 1

I lost 2 pounds! Whoo hoo! Want to know my secret? I actually did nothing! Well, that's not quite true. What I should say is that it is not about anything I did, but what I specifically did not do.

Let me back track. I'll admit that I love wine. I really enjoy a fine wine. John and I discovered an excellent local wine during our anniversary dinner a few months back--Veramar Vineyard's 2010 Cabernet Franc. I even like to partake in a good cheap wine. Sometimes, yes sometimes that one glass of wine will turn into several which translates into lots of empty calories. So, this week I didn't have any wine. Not. One. Drop. And you know what? I didn't even miss it. Now part of that could be due to the fact that the kids and I were suffering from a horrid cold, and I just collapsed into my bed every evening, but it is obvious I don't need those extra calories during the week.

I've also decided to set some goals and rewards for myself in regards to weight loss. I've taken this idea from Jenni who writes a fantastic blog. She and I were pregnant with both our kids at the same time and it is fun for me to keep up with her life. She is one fun and inspirational gal!

Weight loss this week: 2 lbs 
Weight loss to date: 2 lbs

Weight left to lose: 18 lbs

First Goal: 10 pounds 

• Reward: Mani/Pedicure

Second Goal: 15 pounds

• Reward: Massage
  

Final Goal: 20 pounds

• Reward: New Bag

Success: Losing first 2 pounds and cutting wine during the week

Set-Backs: 

Exercise: Nothing yet due to horrible cold (excuses, excuses, right?)

Take it off Monday: Day 1

Remember my first post of the year? I disclosed how I do not like resolutions because so many of us find ourselves right back where we started when the year comes to an end. We beat ourselves up because of it. Well, that's me. Four countless years now I have been resolving to "Lose 20 pounds," "Get back to a size 6/8/10," "Fit into my skinny jeans." And guess what? It hasn't happened. Yes, I  had two babies back to back, but I can only use that as an excuse for so long. And if I am really honest with myself, I looked better when I was nursing and following a no dairy and no booze diet.

So, this is it...Day 1 of my journey to become more happy with my self and for me that means seeing a smaller number on the scale. I'm not yet sure what that number will be. I keep telling myself it is less about the actual number and more about how I feel, but I'll be honest, twenty fewer pounds would be great!

Let's call this my before picture:

What? Were you expecting a swimsuit shot?

No Excuses

...well almost.

Now that I have what was the best yard-sale find EVER

A brand new pair of Adidas

and two willing participants

There is no reason for me to not get into the shape I want to be in...except for the fact I have to let this sucker heal

As soon as it does, we are hitting the road and I am losing the ten pounds I managed to put back on after working so hard last Winter.

Back On It!

John and I have resolved to get back on our workout routine today. After being so good for a month (I have said goodbye to 2 dress sizes as proof) the whole family first got a stomach virus, then the flu and, to top it all off John hurt his back. He and I have now been off our routine for a month. It has been harder to get back into it than it was to start in the first place. But it all ends tonight! As soon as he gets home we head to the basement to lift some weights. I know it will be hard but I am really looking forward to it. Wish us luck!

No More Muffin Top!

I am so incredibly pleased to announce that I am no longer sporting a muffin top with my favorite pair of pre-pregnancy jeans. For those of you so blessed to not know what a muffin top is, well its that spill over the top of your pants of extra fluff. I have been known in the past to call it my innertube or lifesaver. I've sported a muffin top since about my third year in college. Anyhow, yesterday I put on my jeans and discovered I actually needed a belt. Then, low and behold, when I looked in the mirror, my sweater was smooth all the way down. No double lumps on either side!

How did I do it you ask? Well, John and I have been exercising when he gets home in the evenings instead of plopping down in front of the TV. It is great together time and is actually working to get us fit! I have lost all the baby weight from both pregnancies plus an additional 2 pounds. I know I've lost inches and gained muscle too, but I haven't had time to take my measurements. I guess this post is my own cyber pat on the back :-)