My belated check in!

Well, I have good news. With my weight loss, I had lost 14 pounds!! Woohoo! It took awhile but things were paying off. I felt great and then...I got pregnant. :D Cami, I don't know how you do it because I'm too uncomfortable to work out at this point, so I haven't. I have some SI issues going on that I'm starting to work on and hopefully soon I'd like to get back on my treadmill and at least walk. I've lost an additional 9 lbs so far this pregnancy but that will change I'm sure. :) I'm 10 weeks along and happy to be expecting again. Anyway, that's why I haven't been around. Rolyndia, want to join in with Cami and I on the pregnancy merry-go-round? ;) Keep up the great work girls!

27 Weeks...

I'm at 27 weeks now, and feeling pretty good. I hate that just because my belly HAS to get bigger when I'm pregnant, my face, arms, butt and legs do too! What's that all about?! Anyway- I'm feeling good. At my appointment last week I had gained 12 pounds. I'm happy with that. And I've still been exercising as much as I can handle. Somedays the contractions are strong and I just try to take it easy. I need to lay off the junk food still, and I'm working on that. Wish me luck as I enter my last trimester girls!!!

Still Alive

HI!!! Yes, I am still alive. It has been so crazy lately. I started a class this Semester, hubby is gone every week, boys have gymnastics twice a week and scouts, Paeton has ballet and Achievement days. There is not a night we are home with nothing to do. I am up at 5am every morning getting my workout done and in bed by 9:30pm every night. Somewhere in all that I find time for homework, to eat, kids home with homework, to eat, laundry, to eat, dishes, to eat, cleaning, to eat and oh, did I mention to eat.

That is my biggest thing right now is my eating. I am not gaining weight, but I am not trimming down either. Maybe to stressed, I don't know.

Hope you guys are doing great!!!!

Hitting it hard at 22 weeks

So, we are thrilled to be having another GIRL!!! We're very excited, and throughout all the excitement, I've been eating like CRAP! Talk about horrible cravings! All I've been wanting are potato chips and dip, ice-cream, and carmel (frosting, candy, topping...it doesn't really matter.) So....after getting ahold of myself again, I'm back to hitting it hard. I have gained a total of 7 pounds so far, which isn't bad, but I think I'm going to need to watch myself and control what I eat! I've been doing better the past few days, and at least I've still been exercising 6 days a week. I'm sure that's the only reason I haven't gained 50 pounds already. I'm doing all kinds of exercises still, low weights, walking, toning exercises, and pregnancy pilates and cardio pregnancy DVD's when it's too cold to go out. For the most part, I've been feeling okay energy wise, but have been having a TON of pain in my.....well, I guess I'll just come out and say it.....my right butt cheek. I think it's a sciatic nerve thing, but sometimes I can barely even walk with it. Hopefully I'll be able to get that figured out soon!

So, how are you girl's doing? I want to hear from you both soon!

Hey girls!

Sounds like you both are doing well! Cami you look great and Rolyndia I love your new strategy! My game plan lately is mostly the same. I'm still watching what I eat and I'm trying to get some exercise in everyday. The newest thing we've done is everyday after dinner we go on a family walk. I find that on the days we aren't able to go, I miss it. It's good for the kids and great exercise for us. I've really enjoyed it and my efforts are starting to pay off, I've lost 7 lbs!! That feels really good after the weight loss roller coaster I was on during the summer. :P So that's where I'm at. Plugging along!

16 weeks

So, I am now at 16 weeks along. The sad thing is, I'm bigger this pregnancy than my last 3, and I was in better shape this time to begin with! How lame-o is that?! Anyway- here are some updated pics of the belly.... We have had a crazy few weeks. Kids starting school, buying a new house, packing, moving, un-packing...etc. It's been nuts. I've been exercising through it all, but very lightly. (Mostly just walking.) But...I have NOT been eating very good. I had a hard time eating really healthy when I usually didn't want anything because I was sick. When I COULD eat, I used the excuse that I never usually wanted anything, so when I did, I was going to eat whatever finally sounded good! Bad idea. The past few weeks haven't been great ---eating-wise--- but I'm doing better now. I'm no longer nauseated...(FINALLY), and have found more motivation to cook more, and eat better again. My exercise is still modified, (obviously) but I've been trying to walk 40 minutes-1 hour every day (pushing strollers, and walking hills) to give me a decent workout without too much intensity.

I did go to the doctor's today and the funny thing is that I haven't gained a pound! How is that possible???! I figured I would've gained something since I can't fit into my clothes anymore, but nope. I'm okay with that though! I hope you are all doing well still, and I'll let you know in a few weeks if we're having a boy or a girl!!!

Bad

Is it bad that I have no motivation to do anything? I am still working out and watching what I eat as I stick it in my mouth. I have not gained nor lost any weight, but I am not happy with where I am at physically. I need the motivation again.

So I decided that I am going to start my P90X workout from day one and follow the eating program I have posted a few weeks of on here. My reward for this goal in 90 days is to have pictures taken. I have not had a picture of myself professionally taken since this picture was taken 23 years ago. I think it is time and a great motivator. I decided that if I start tomorrow that in 90 days it would be October 26th. I am calling today to schedule the photo shoot.

Here is to MOTIVATION! I can't wait and I am super excited and scared, but I will reach my goal.

Hope you are all doing great and find that motivation to help you reach your goal too.

Checking in

I've had some ups and downs over the past few weeks but I haven't given up. I've shaved minutes off my mile and 5k and I've lost 3 lbs. That has felt really good and continues to motivate me. My husband and I have set up weight loss goals/rewards and we've been exercising together. That has helped me to focus the most and continually reminds me of my long term goals instead of being lazy in the moment. Eating healthy dinners is still my biggest struggle. For the time being I'm trying to eat smaller portions at dinner time, hopefully that helps a little. Anyway, I'm still around and doing what I can. Just wanted to check in quick! :)

Little setback...

So, I've come across a little setback. Not one that I'm ashamed of though. I found out that I am pregnant again. Hooray for me! I'm about 6 weeks or so along and am due Feb. 14th. Valentine's Day. How sweet, huh? Now....it's time to make some changes in my exercising routine. I still will exercise 6 days a week, but I'm going to have to tone it down. Right now, I don't feel like I'm straining, but I'm nauseated and SO TIRED, that it's hard for me to run anymore. I tried today, and got a few miles in, but I had to walk up the hill (which I normally run) and I pretty much felt like I had just finished a 10k when I was done! Yikes. That came fast. I was getting in REALLY good shape, and now I've lost it in a matter of a few weeks! I will hopefully be able to at least walk on the days I feel really sick so I can stay in the routine of things.

Also- eating is another trick. I have to eat all the time or I get even more sick, but during the first trimester nothing sound good! I'm going to realy try hard to eat healthy this pregnancy though, so I only gain what I gained wth Madison (25 lbs.) The doctors say to gain between 25-35lbs for my height/weight, so I'll shoot for the lower! Wish me luck girls.

My goals are going to be different now, but still I'm just aiming to be Healthy! Aren't we all?!

Meals for Weeks 3 and 4

Week 3 Meals

Meal 1: Strawberry Ice Cream

1 scoop protein powder
4 strawberries
1/2 cup oats (raw measurement)
1/2 cup water
6 ice cubes

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency


Meal 2: Hot Pumpkin and Eggs

1/4 cup oats (raw measurement)
1 TB plain cream of wheat (raw measurement)
2 TB plain canned pumpkin
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Zero cal/carb sweetener of choice
1 egg
3 egg whites

Combine oats, cream of wheat, pumpkin and water. Cook in microwave or in a pan on stove top. Stir pumpkin pie spice and sweetener into hot cereal. Cook eggs as desired.



Meal 3: Jerky and Island Smoothie

1 1/2 oz low fat beef jerky (or turkey jerky)
1/2 orange
2 TB skim milk
4 strawberries
1 tsp lemonade powder
coconut and vanilla extract
5 ice cubes

Combine and blend all ingredients together EXCEPT JERKY to desired shake consistency. Serve along side jerky.



Meal 4: Cheesy Egg Tacos

1 egg
2 egg whites
2 corn tortillas
1 low cal/fat cheese wedge (I use a thin slice of mozzarella cheese)

Cook eggs as desired. Crisp corn tortillas in frying pan with cooking spray. Layer in eggs and cheese wedge, fold tortillas.



Meal 5: Crunchy Ranch Dip

1/3 cup low fat or fat free cottage cheese
1 tsp ranch powder
12 whole grain crackers
8 baby carrots
8 cherry tomatoes
1/2 cucumber

Mix in ranch powder to cottage cheese. Dip veggies and crackers into cottage cheese mixture.



Meal 6: Hawaiian Pizza

1 low cal/carb whole grain pita pocket
2 TB pizza sauce
2 TB onion of choice
8 zucchini slices
3 oz chicken, cooked
1 slice deli turkey
2 TB pineapple chunks
2 TB mozzarella cheese

Spread pizza sauce on top of pita. Layer all other ingredients on top. Bake on a pan in a preheated 375 oven for 25 minutes or until edges are crispy.



Week 4 Meals


Meal 1: Crunchy Pumpkin Ice Cream

1 scoop protein powder
2 TB plain canned pumkin
1/2 cup skim milk (I use almond milk)
1 cup multigrain cold cereal (I use kashi heart to heart)
6 ice cubes

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency.


Meal 2: Blueberry Pancakes and Eggs

1/4 cup whole grain pancake mix
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup water
2 TB sugar-free syrup
1 egg
3 egg whites

Combine water and pancake mix; stir in blueberries. Make 2 medium-sized pancakes OR 1 big waffle. Cook in pan with cooking spray and top with syrup. Cook eggs as desired.


Meal 3: Nuts and Cheese

1/2 cup low fat or fat free cottage cheese
1/3 cup sliced red grapes
1/4 banana sliced
2 TB slivered almonds

Combine fruit and cottage cheese and sprinkle almonds on top.


Meal 4: Zesty Chicken Rice Bowl

1/3 cup brown rice, cooked
2 TB fat free Zesty Italian dressing
3 oz chicken, cooked
6 cherry tomatoes
2 tsp Parmesan cheese

Warm the chicken and brown rice in a bowl. Stir in remaining ingredients.


Meal 5: Chocolate Ice Cream

1 scoop protein powder
1 TB plain cocoa powder
1/3 cup skim milk (I use almond milk)
1/4 cup oats (raw measurement)
6 ice cubes
1/2 cup water

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency.


Meal 6: Chicken and Bean Burrito

1 large or 2 small low carb whole grain tortillas
2 oz chicken, cooked
2 TB fat free refried beans
2 TB salsa
2 TB mozzarella cheese
chopped lettuce and onions

Spread refried beans onto tortilla. Layer with remaining ingredients and fold in half. Crisp burrito in frying pan coated with cooking spray.

Goals this week...

So, what's new girls??? My gym pass has expired, so I'm back to working out at home. The hardest part is working out as long as I did at the Gym. I usually can workout as hard, if I push myself, but it's just easier for me to do a full 45-60 minute workout when I'm gone. When I'm home, I notice the dishes, the dust, the kids' messy hair...etc. I have a hard time staying focused and sometimes give in after 30 minutes. I've been trying to give myself a good variety of workouts, and still keep up on the weights. (I only have 5 and 8 lbs, so I'm limited, but I don't want to lose the muscle I've gained, so I still try!) My week typically looks like this, now that I'm home.

I still try to workout between 6 and 7am at home.

Monday- Jillian Michaels DVD 45 minutes. (Weights and cardio)

Tuesday- Run 20-30 minutes. One toning routine. (p90x Ab ripper, OR Butt toning from Tae Bo video. (I have both of these memorized and they both take about 15-20 minutes each.)

Wednesday- Trampoline workout video. (Cardio mixed with more weights.) 45 minutes.

Thursday - Run 20-30 minutes (2-3 miles) Opposite Toning routine....different from Tuesday.

Friday- 8-minute Tae Bo cardio workout .....Free weights for 30 minutes.

Saturday- Run 30-45 minutes.

Sunday- Rest.

This gives me a good blend of Cardio days, Weight days, Mixed days(circuit training), and toning days. I hope if I can stick to it that I am working enough different muscle groups plus cardio, to see some more results.

The hardest thing for me is still eating. I like white flour and sugar WAY TOO MUCH! Ahhhhhhh!

My nutrition goals this week are...

Drink MORE water....this is getting easier since it's warming up here quite a bit now.
More Vegetables!!!!
One WHITE a day. (Either white bread, roll, or small treat.)
Nothing after 7pm.

Wish me luck!

Recipes

So my camera died. Looks like no between pictures going to be posted any time soon. I hope that by the end of the goal date, I will be able to post those pictures. May have to buy a new camera.

Here are the recipes that help burn fat. They are easy to make and are pretty good to eat. Be sure to eat the first meal within 1 hour of waking up. You eat these meals every day for a week and then switch to the next week when time. I will post week 3 when I finish it and so forth. There are 12 weeks total.

Week 1

7am Meal: Banana Ice Cream (Shake)

1 scoop protein powder
1/2 banana
1/4 cup oats (raw measurement)
1/2 cup water
6 ice cubes

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency

9am Meal: Egg Burrito

1 large low carb whole-grain tortilla
1 egg
2 egg whites
2 TB salsa
1/2 piece of fruit

Scramble eggs and place with salsa into tortilla. Crisp on each side in frying pan sprayed with cooking spray and serve with fruit.

11:30am Meal: Fruit and String Cheese

1 fruit
1 mozzarella string cheese

2pm Meal: Mexican Rice Bowl

3 oz chicken, cooked
1/4 cup brown rice, cooked
1/4 cup black beans
2 TB corn
1 TB fat free sour cream
2 TB salsa

Combine all ingredients together in frying pan sprayed with cooking spray. Remove when warmed and serve in a bowl.

4:30pm Meal: Apple Crunch Chicken Salad

3 oz chicken breast, you can use canned
1 TB light mayo or miracle whip
1 TB fat free sour cream
1/4 apple, diced
1 cup plain cabbage mix
2 large whole-grain crackers

Combine top 5 ingredients. Top with crackers (crushed) and salt and pepper.

7pm Meal: BBQ Chicken and Sweet Potato Pie

4 oz chicken, cooked
2 TB low cal/carb BBQ sauce
4 oz sweet potato or yam (raw measurement)
1 TB fat free sour cream

Marinate Chicken in BBQ sauce. Add sour cream to baked sweet potato with no cal/carb sweetener of choice and cinnamon on top.

Week 2

Meal 1: Blueberry Graham Ice Cream

1 scoop protein powder
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup water
6 ice cubes
1/4 fiber cereal (Fiber One works really good)

Combine and blend all ingredients together to desired shake consistency.

Meal 2: Scrambled Eggs and Apple Pie

2 TB cream of wheat (raw measurement)
2 TB oats (raw measurement)
1/2 cup water
1/4 apple, diced
1 egg
2 egg whites
2 TB salsa
1/2 pkg sugar-free apple cider powder

Scramble eggs in frying pans sprayed with cooking spray. Top with Salsa. Dice apple and microwave for 30 seconds, remove. Microwave cream of wheat and oats with water for 2 min. Remove and stir in apples pieces, sugar free apple cider powder, and cinnamon. Serve with eggs.

Meal 3: Candy Bar and Fruit Snack

1 meal replacement bar
1/2 piece of fruit

Meal 4: Chicken and BBQ Baked Beans

1/4 cup black beans
1/3 cup barley, cooked
2 oz chicken, cooked
2 TB low cal/carb BBQ sauce
1 cup steamed broccoli

Combine all ingredients together except for vegetables-delicious warm or cold. Eat broccoli on the side

Meal 5: Bean and Cracker Cheese Spread

16 whole-wheat crackers
1 low cal/fat cheese wedge
1/2 cup shelled edamame beans

Dip crackers into cheese. Beans can be eaten warm or cold.

Meal 6: Fiesta Fish Dish

5 oz white fish
2 1/2 TB couscous (raw measurement)
1/2 cup mushrooms
1/4 cup onions
1/2 bell pepper
1 garlic clove
1/2 cup plain cabbage mix
2 TB fat free sour cream
2 TB salsa
cilantro

Grill or bake fish with fresh squeeze of lemon or line in pan sprayed with cooking spray. Saute vegetables in frying pan sprayed with cooking spray. Combine 1/4 cup water and couscous in deep bowl and microwave for 3 min. Combine all ingredients together and top with sour cream, salsa, fresh lemon/lime, and cilantro.

Frustrated

So I weighed myself and retook measurements and the results....are disappointing. I've put on 3 lbs since February and my measurements haven't really changed. And to top it off, we went on vacation last week and looking back at the pictures, I look terrible. Argh! I'm so frustrated with myself. In three months, with the changes I've been making, I really expected more. So I'm trying to regroup. My approach is probably to blame, the whole making life changes slowly so they stick isn't working. Mainly because I get it into my head "oh, it's ok I didn't do well this week, I'm taking it slow and it's going to be hard the first little while." 3 months is long enough to get into gear and I'm tired of hating the way I feel when I see myself in the mirror.

So ladies, I'm going to start making bigger changes and be more aggressive about my health. I could use any help you girls can offer too. Things like what you eat throughout the day and what kinds of exercises you do and how much. Or if you have a recommendation, that would be great too. :D

Here are some of my goals for the next two weeks:

*Run 3x/wk MWF
*Circuit training THS (includes weights)
*More fruits and veggies
*No eating out or junk food

Forgotten?

Nope, I have not forgotten to to post pictures of me in between my goal. I have no one at home to help me and at night the kids are here and there and everywhere. I am hoping tonight to get pictures taken and up tomorrow.

Hope all is well with you Cami and Michelle. Keep up the great work. I found some wonderful recipes that help kick the metabolism into high gear and will try to post them soon.

Have a great day!

Rolyndia

Before and BeTWEENer pictures...

These are NOT "before and after" pictures, because I'm planning to take the pictures again in a few more months for my "after". These are my "Betweeners".

I've been putting it off long enough. "I don't think they will look any different yet, maybe I'll wait a few more weeks."
or, "I'll take them after I've gone without any treats for awhile", or "I'll wait until I'm not on my period and don't look so bloated!" etc. You get the idea.

Well...NO MORE PROCRASTINATING!

I ate horrible all weekend with my family in town, had too much sugar yesterday for Easter and am currently VERY bloated, but here ya go anyway!

I honestly can't see much change in these pictures, but I promised to post them, so here they are! Hopefully, I'll notice more change the next time around!

BEFORE:

BETWEEN:
(My stomach seems a little flatter in that last picture, but I could've just been sucking in more?!)

BEFORE:

BETWEEN:

(My arms are DEFINITELY stronger now, but that pictue did NOT do them justice. You can just take my word on that one.)

BEFORE:

BETWEEN:

Most of my muscles are a lot stronger then they were a few months ago, actually, but that's hard to see in a picture. I notice I can do a lot heavier weights now (and for longer periods of time) and I can actually see a bigger definition in my calves, arms, and shoulders

when I flex, so that's a plus.

I need to really cut back the treats...especially after the Easter Holiday when it's around more. I'll keep you posted next week on how I'm doing! Good luck girls. I wanna see yours now!

I'm alive.

I promise I'm still alive. I'm still exercising, but could do better with eating....(like usual.) I PROMISE I'll post pictures asap. Life has just gotten crazy busy the past few weeks. I'll try to take some pictures this week. I'm kind of dreadin it, since I don't feel like much has changed, but we'll see! I'm also dreading the fact that my gym pass is up in 3 weeks! Ahh. That went way too fast! Anyway- I'll post again in a few days with my pictures! Keep up the good work girls. NO SUGAR UNTIL EASTER FOR ME!!!! .....I know, I know, it's only a week, but I surely need to do it!

It is hard!

Life has so many ups and downs that is seems to through at me all the time. I wish for once I could get a hold of something and just concentrate on one thing. For example, my weight or even working out or eating healthy. I guess those all go together and can be classified as one thing because none of them work with out the others. Michelle, I know how you feel with working and trying to workout and eat healthy, plus take care of your family. I hit a wall this morning and lost control in front of my kids. I feel horrible and I gave them all hugs and kisses through the tears of all of us. My oldest, by a minute or two of the other the other two, came up and said "Mom, I know how you feel. It is like when we do groups at school and no one in my group wants to listen to me or my ideas.". It made me cry even harder and realize that they feel the pain and understand a far more than I give them credit for. So has for my weight, working out, and eating healthy, all I can do is my best. I need to relax a little and let it work its magic on its own. Stressing only makes it worse and I need to enjoy everyday to the fullest with how I feel, look and my family. So here is too a less stressful day and week! Thanks girls for all you do and for being my support.

Checking in

Although I don't have much to report. I haven't lost any weight and I haven't gained any, so in a way that's sort of good. I'm still working on my goals and I've been trying to eat more in moderation, especially when it comes to sweets. I'm also trying to work on not letting my emotions rule what I eat. That's about it from me. Good luck this week girls!!

*Update: I fell and bruised myself pretty good and badly sprained my wrist which has slowed down my workouts. So, this is going to be a good test for me over the next few weeks! How are you guys doing? It's been pretty quiet around here...

90 days

I have 90 days before my 25th High School Class Reunion. It started Monday and I am on day 88 today. I am so excited and pumped to look great for the Reunion.

Granted as of today no one would know me from High School. When I was in High School I weighed 275 pounds. A year later I was down to 135 pounds and I have not seen any one from High School since I lost the weight. Over the years I have put it back on because of babies and just life in general. I am now down to 179 and my goal is to be at 155 by my Reunion. I think that is a realistic goal and I know that I can do it!

Here is to 88 more days!

Keep up the awesome work! It is almost time to post pictures again in 2-3 weeks. Can't wait to see how every one is doing.

I am grateful for you guys and the love and support you give me.

Jumping back in

The last two weeks, I did.....nothing. :( The first week I was really sick with what I thought was strep throat (it was treated like strep but the test was negative). The second week I spent recovering from that and work. Work has picked up and I've been so tired after a long day that I've barely had enough energy to be wife and mom. You guys have days like that? I feel like when I come home, I spend the evening recuperating from work and the only thing I want to do is rest. Something to work through.

Anyway, I'm jumping back on the bandwagon this week. :) These are my goals:

*Run 3x
*Don't eat after dinner
*Go to bed before 10:30pm

This week....

Well this week has been a challenge for me to get my workouts done. I worked out twice so far and plan on working out tomorrow. I thought our puppy had a sleep pattern going and he decided to change it up on me. My daughter and I have been fighting earaches and sore throats, but I think we are finally on the mend.

Good news: I have lost 7 pounds since last Tuesday. So that is a plus. But I need to get my workouts in gear so I can reach my goal by my birthday at the end of May.

This next week my goals are:

P90X in the mornings (5:00a)
Gym 2x (Tuesday and Thursday) to run on the treadmill
Continue to eat healthy

Good luck to you both!!

Don't understand!

The last two weeks I have been really good about working out and eating healthy. I worked out last week for 6 days and this week will be 5 days, we got a puppy and I am getting no sleep so I figure 5 days is really good. But I have not lost a pound.

Michelle ~ I don't remember what kind of treadmill we had it has been to many years ago. I have been looking at Sole treadmills and have a friend who has done major research on treadmills and she said for the price it is as good as the other but Sole is cheaper.

You both are doing awesome and keep up the good work. I will keep plugging away at my workouts and eating hopefully figure it all out!

Seeing improvements!

Good News!!!!

1-I can once again run a 10-minute mile. Don't laugh. This is good for me. I'm a very slow runner!

2-I've lost one inch around my belly-button and lower abdomen.

3-I've lost about 5 lbs!

4-My Body fat test (the home one) was down to 23.9%.


FINALLY, something is looking up for me!

My "tweener" pictures will be coming soon!

It's like this...

Running on a treadmill pros and cons:

Pro: Makes you feel great

Con: Eat a bowl of ice cream first, makes you feel like crap

Yesterday proved that when you eat something unhealthy, your body doesn't function as well. My body had to work so much harder and after I was done, my head started to spin. So, my eyes have been opened. If you ever feel like eating a treat before you work out so you can "burn the fat" from it, I wouldn't recommend it.

But, on a brighter note, I did work out 3x last week, twice this week, and so far I've lost 2 lbs! I love my treadmill. :D Good luck this week ladies, we can do this!

ETA: I just did the home body fat test (thanks for the link Cami!) and I was at 29.5%.

Idea

I say we post "In between" pictures in 2 months, so April 15th would be a good time. I think it will help us to stay inspired and give us a goal to reach for.

Are you guys with me?


Today is the first day in 2 weeks, I have felt good enough to workout. I did not push it really hard, but I did it.

My goals are to take it easy the rest of this week with my workouts and start my workouts back up on Monday.

Cinch! Meals

The foundation of Cinch! is a five-piece puzzle. Each meal is constructed from five pieces:

1. Produce
2. A whole grain
3. Lean protien
4. Plant-based fat
5. Slimming and Satiating Seasonings


Breakfast Ideas:

Zesty Cranberry Walnut Parfait

1/4 cup dried cranberries sweetened with fruit juice
1/4 cup whole oats
3/4 cup plain nonfat yogurt
2 TBSP chopped walnuts
1/4 tsp of orange zest

Stir the zest into the yogurt and layer food in a dish

Raspberry Brazil Nut Pita

1 cup raspberries
1/2 whole grain pita
1/2 cup nonfat cottage cheese
2 TBSP chopped brazil nuts
Pinch of nutmeg
mix nutmeg, berries and nuts into cottage cheese and fill pita with mixture.

Berry Almond French Toast

1 cup raspberries
1 slice whole-grain bread
3 egg whites
2 TBSP silvered Almonds
Dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves

Soak bread in eggs. Spray pan with pam, but bread in pan and pour remaining egg over the top. Cook until golden brown, place on plate and sprinkle spices on and top with berries and almonds.

These are some of the breakfast meals. I will post some more soon along with snack and dinner meals.

As you can see they sound yummy and are easy to make for yourself and your family. Plus your family won't even realize how good they are eating.

Cinch!

So I have not done Cinch! in 2 weeks, because I and two of my kids were REALLY sick (Strep, Croup, Bronchitis and Pink eye). But I am going to start back on it on Monday, if you would like to join me.

The first 5 days you eat the same 5 things which are (they can be frozen or fresh):

Eggs
Spinach
Raspberries
Nonfat, plain Greek yogurt
Almonds (slivered) and Almond Butter

You can use the Olive Oil Spray Pam when cooking the scrambled eggs.

1st Meal:

3 scrambled egg whites
1 cup of Spinach
minced garlic
Pepper

1 cup of Raspberries
2 TBSP of Almonds

2nd Meal:

1 cup of Raspberries
3/4 cup of yogurt
2 TBSP Almonds
Dash of Cinnamon

Layer to look like a parfait


3rd Meal:

2 cups Fresh Spinach
1 cup Raspberries
2 TBSP Almonds
3 egg whites (Hard boiled)
Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 of a orange to squeeze over salad with vinegar

4th Meal:

3/4 cup of yogurt
1 cup Raspberries
2 TBSP of Almond Butter
Ice
Cinnamon

Blend in blender to make a smoothie


Rules:

*Eat your first meal within one hour of waking up.

*Eat one of each meal per day, in any order you like, spacing your meals evenly, three to five hours apart.

*Use only these foods.

It really is simple and not hard to do. The first 5 days are simple to do and the food does not get old to eat, plus it is only 5 days.

After the 5 days then there is a list of foods to choice from for each meal and I will list a few options for you to choose from to start the 2nd week. It is only a total of 30 days and she says to make sure you get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.

No self-discipline.

I realized something the past few days. I have no self-discipline when it comes to sugar. Well, let me re-phrase that. I have no self-discipline when I'm "allowing" myself to eat sugar "sparingly". I'm seriously out of control. I was off sugar until Valentine's Day. I did awesome. It was all mental for me. It wasn't a temptation because I knew what my limitations were. It wasn't hard to pass up the brownies at the Relief Society activity because I knew before I went that I wasn't having any. (Just like you learn in church...you make up your mind BEFORE HAND and it's not that hard.) I have, however, been back "ON" sugar for a total of 3 days. So far I have eaten....get ready for this.... 4 sugar cookies, 3 chocolate truffles, 2 pieces of carmel cake, 1 red velvet cupcake, 1/2 of an ice-cream sundae and plenty of spatula licks of cake batter. Does anybody else see a problem with this??? I thought, for sure I would be fine to go back to having sugar "sparingly". Afterall, I had gone 1 1/2 months without it and did just fine. Boy was I wrong. I must be an all or nothing kind of girl. I tell ya though, I have been feeling SO SICK the past few days. It wasn't hard to decide to go off again. I think there needs to be a happy medium though. So I decided this time, I'll take it week by week. That way, when I go back "ON" I won't overkill like I did this time. So, I am making a point to say, I will have NO SUGAR until Next Wednesday night at New Beginnings. Then...I'll take it another week from there. Wish me luck! I'm gonna need it with all this Valentine's chocolate around. (Eventhough, I desperately tried to pawn it off on my Young Women tonight!)

Look!!!

I'M SO EXCITED! I have wanted a treadmill for years and we were finally able to buy one using our tax return! I don't like to exercise, which has been one of my biggest struggles, but I love to run when I get the chance. We used to have a gym membership and getting on the treadmill was my favorite. But we haven't had a membership in a while so I would run outside when I could. But if it was too cold or too hot, it made it hard. Now, I can run whenever I want. :D

This is really going to help me feel better about myself and improve appearance. I've worked out twice already, 40 minutes each. It feels good doing something you love! Below are my pictures you challenged us to post Cami. It's one thing to see yourself in the mirror but it's another to show other people what you look like. More motivation though right?! (FYI The reason my head is cut off is because I don't post personal pictures on the internet, but you get the idea. :) Good luck this week girls! (Cami, how's the elliptical working for you?)

My Turn

These are scary pictures, but Cami, I am taking the challenge to post before pictures. Hopefully my after pictures will look a lot better.

I took the Body Fat % test and found myself at 29%. Not bad, but could be a lot better, which I am working on it.

As for the 7 day detox I did, I gained 7 pounds. So I stopped and went back to what I was doing before. I also picked up the book Cinch! and LOVE IT!! I have been on the 5 day fast track and it has been so easy and I have so much energy, besides having 3 sick kids. On Thursday, I start the 25 day program of it.

I have been doing P90X every morning and on M/W been going to gym and running/walking on the treadmill for 1 hour. On T/Th mornings I go to our Ward bldg and workout with a group of ladies, the workouts are hard, but great.

My goals this week:

Continue to workout and follow Cinch!

Drink lots of water

Picture my end goal

Think positive

Have a great week everyone!!

A few websites...

Sorry, I'm probably getting annoying by posting so much lately, but I found a few websites I thought I'd share with you. The first is the Home Body fat test... (if you want to see what you are). Like I said before, I ended up being 26% body fat with this test, which seemed more accurate then the 35% at the gym on their scale.

www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html

The other is to do a Metabolic typing test.

www.naturalhealthyellowpages.com/metabolic/self_test.html

I've been doing some research on a few things, health related, and have found some interesting facts. Both online, different places, and I've talked to my brother a lot (Who has a degree in Exercise Science, and worked as a Manager for Personal Training at Gold's Gym for quite awhile.) He is now going to PA school, but I emailed him a few days ago, and he sent me some good information. First, he said to find out my "metabolic type" so I know what kind of foods to eat more of. (protein or carbs). A lot of time this is just a trial and error thing, but I am going to start off by doing what my test results said, and go from there. I also learned that I am probably not eating ENOUGH food. Crazy huh?! I've been working out a TON and have been cutting calories, which has probably been doing more harm than good. Apparently, if you aren't eating enough calories, your body will go into "Starvation Mode". (This is when your body holds onto all the fat in your body becuase it thinks it might be starving, so it won't let break down any of the fats you are trying to get rid of!) Interesting huh? Now....this doesn't mean I need to pig out, but instead of counting calories I should be more interested in eating the RIGHT kinds of foods (raw nuts, whole eggs, 1-ingredient foods such as fruits, sweet potatoes, veggies, meat, etc), and cutting out the bad kinds of foods, ( pasta's,-even whole wheat pastas and bread aren't great for you,- processed foods/ packaged snacks, *granola bars are one of my weaknesses*, health bars, crackers, sugar, vegetable/canola oils, margarine, substitute butters, etc.).

Anyway, I'm going to stick with my test results this week, and try to follow it a little better (with the food guidelines) and we'll see how I do! Good luck this week girls!

BEFORE:

Okay girls. It's time to be brave. I'm going to go out on a limb here and try something I've never done before. "Before and After" pictures. I'm getting so frustrated with the scale, so I thought I'd try another way to "track my progress". Of course, the pictures you see today will be the "BEFORE" pictures. You'll have to check back in a month or two to see the "after". I just thought this might be good so I can actually "SEE" if there are any changes in the way I look. Afterall, pictures don't lie!

I actually took a few more pictures in a sports bra and shorts that are "For my eyes only!" I think I'll be able to tell a bigger difference with those, but for the blog's sake, I thought I'd post a few of the others that were a little more modest.

Okay..no laughing!

I like to call this one the BUM shot.


Look at those flabby arms...ugh...I mean muscles!

Belly shot...
Front on belly and thighs...

Okay, I challenge all of you to do it too, and see if you can tell a difference in a month! If you want to post it, that's great! If not, I understand. (Especially, since this is not a private blog.) But....I think it's a great idea to keep us all motivated!

Oh, and ps... I found a website to check your OWN Body fat (just google home body fat test), and I came up with 26% body fat. Not 35%. Hopefully, that was more accurate then before!

Here again

Sorry I haven't been here the last little while. I have been swamped with so many things for work, church, and home that I haven't had much time to do anything else. So I'm back with an update. Things haven't gone very well. The weight I lost, I put back on because I've been stressed. It felt so good to lose what I did and now I feel worse for putting it back on. But I'm not going to give up. Although, I've been doing some thinking. I wonder if I'm taking things TOO easy to start off with. Maybe I should be more aggressive? Anyway, here are my goals for this week, we'll see how it goes.

*Fill up and drink my water bottle 3x
*Go to bed before 10:30pm
*Exercise while watching TV at least 4x
*No eating after 7pm
*No buying sweets

Rolydia, how is your raw food diet going? Cami, did you get a personal trainer at the gym or are you doing it yourself? Good luck ladies!

Lab Results...

I've got a lot of work to do. Here are the basic results of my lab tests from the gym. If you don't care to look...I don't blame ya.

Blood pressure: 114/54 Normal. (this was good.)

Cardiovascular: 36.2

These numbers probably mean nothing to you, but 36.2 was in the Moderate range. under 26 is Very Low. 26-30 was Low. 31-35 is Fair. 36-40 is Moderate. 41-44 is Good. 45-49 is Very Good. Over 49 is Elite.) So...I didn't do too bad there, but I kind of expected it to be higher with how much I exercise. I guess I'll be stepping my cardio workouts up a notch or two.

Strength: 51 (lbs)...this was for biceps.... (I was in the Average range) 0-25 =Poor, 26-38=Fair, 39-58=Average, 59-75=Good, and over 75=Excellent. So...once again I'm average. Not good, but not bad either.

Flexibility: 17.2 (inches) Here's my time to shine......so....on the scale, I'm finally in the excellent range. However, flexibility is the one category that doesn't probably matter too much anyway. Oh well, though. I was excited. Anything over 16.7 inches is Excellent.

Body composition: 35% body fat. Not good at all!!!! I'm so frustrated with this. Anything over 30 is High.......My first goal is to get UNDER 30%!!!!!! Wish me luck!

Oh...one more thing.....My "Body Age" is 29, eventhough I'm actually only 26. I guess that's what having 3 babies does to ya! The "obtainable Body age" for me would be 19, so I guess I have to work on that too. I guess that they get this from totalling all the results together somehow. Kind of interesting.

Back at it again.

So, I took a little break from my 2 a day workouts when I went home last week, which was nice. I still worked out everyday, but only once. I still stuck to the no-sugar and I'm surprised at how easy it's getting.

Now, I'm back home and at it again. I am hitting the Gym hard every morning from 6-7am, and then I do something else either during naptime at home, or in the evening, or when I can take the kids to the gym's kid's class. It hasn't felt like too much yet, and I'm drinking a TON of water, so I stay hydrated. I go back to the gym for some more lab assessment tests tomorrow. I'll let you know how that goes.

Goals this week:

Workout everyday Monday-Saturday and twice a day when possible.
No sugar
Nothing after 7PM
Snack less on granola bars, pretzels and crackers, and more on fruits and vegetables.

Good luck this week girls.

STOKED!

I lost another 0.9lbs - almost a pound! I know it's not much but I'm still very happy with it!! I've started really small with my goals and it feels good to know that even by doing the small things you can have accomplishments. Last week went pretty well. I exercised 2x instead of 3x but I did a lot better with what I ate and was really good about not eating after 7pm. I didn't buy any treats from the store too, even though I was tempted! Starting out slow and steady has been the best thing for me. I feel doing it this way has helped me change my lifestyle to be more healthy instead of feeling like I'm going on a temporary diet. Thanks for the support ladies!!

Not Happy!!

I don't know what is going on! I have gained 6 pounds, uugghh!! I am going to do a Raw 7 Day Detox starting on Monday. Why am I waiting until Monday, because I have to go get groceries so I can and I won't be going until tomorrow.

I have workout 4 times this week and I am eating veggies and fruits with little meat and not treats and I still gained. I am not going to stress out, I am not going to stress out, I am not going to stress out.

Hope all is well with every one!

Cami!

How did your lab assessment go? I bet they told you were totally awesome. :D

New week ladies!

This is going to be quick, I'm exhausted from the day! But this last week I did pretty well with all of my goals. I wanted to be a part of Cami's no sweets challenge so I've challenged myself to not buy any treats when I go to the store. So far - A+! That doesn't mean I don't have treats already in the house, but at least I'm not adding to them and eventually they'll go away right? lol Oh, and big news!! I lost 0.5lbs this last week!!! I know, it's not much at all but I haven't lost ANYTHING in the past few months so I'll take the speck of weight loss. It makes you feel really good! I'm totally stoked about my half a pound lol!

This week, same goals and I'm adding in eating more fruits and veggies and working out 3x instead of 2x. Good luck ladies!!

What a WEEK!!!

Review of the week....

No sugar (treats, sweets, desserts, etc.)? Check.

Gym Pass? Check.

Workouts? CHECK, CHECK!!!!

I worked out twice a day all week long. About 2 hours a day. This isn't normal for me, but I was excited about my Gym pass, so my neighbor and I worked out together at 6 am every morning, and then took turns watching eachother's kids later during the day (or at nap time) so we could go again. I am utterly stiff, to say the least. But I feel great! Have you guys done the INSANITY workout? I about died!!! I LOVED it though. I have a lab assesment appointment set up this Tuesday at the Gym, so I can test my muscle strength, body fat, flexibility, etc. I'm excited to see how that goes. As for the rest of the week, I'll do what I can, but I'm leaving for Utah on Wednesday until the following Monday, so it might be difficult to work like I did this week. However, I'm still going to exercise as much as possible and not eat any sugar still. Hopefully, I'm all detoxed by now, so I don't get any more headaches! How pathetic am I?! Anyway, good luck to the rest of you. Hope you are all doing well this NEW YEAR!

I don't think I can

I've come to realize something about why I haven't lost weight and why I don't eat better and work out more. Deep, deep down, I honestly don't think I can. Isn't that horrible? I WANT to be healthier and look healthier but I don't think I can do what it takes. Part of it I believe has to do with my brother's while I was growing up. They were always on my case about eating too much and told me I was fat more times than I could count. So I have issues lol.

Now that I have that off my chest here's what I'm going to do about it. I think I'm going to keep setting goals and keep telling myself that I CAN lose weight. That I CAN be healthier. That I CAN do this.

This week's goals: go to bed before 11pm, drink more water, do two Insanity workouts, and don't buy any sweets. Good luck this week girls!!

New Year equals New Start

So I kinda gave up until the New Year. I was doing really good until December hit and I went downhill. I weighed myself this morning and found that I had gained 5 lbs on top of the 10 I still need to lose. I am okay with it only because today is the start of a new day. I got up and worked out, ate 3 egg whites scrambled with a applepear. My lunch was a salad topped with some ham and LOTS of water. I squeezed in a orange and a grapefruit for snacks. Dinner will be squash, grilled chicken breast and salad.

I will obtain my goals by June 25th for my 25th High School Reunion and I want to look good for family pictures at the end of February.

I start back to school on Thursday, but I am only taking one class so I feel it won't get in the way of working out and eating healthy.

Hope all of you have a great start on this New Year also!

Sugar Fast

I'm trying something I have never attempted before. I'm doing a Sugar-fast starting Monday......until February 14th! (desserts....candy...etc.) Anyone as crazy as me and want to join?????


A friend of mine that lives far away offered me the challenge.....now I'm offering it to you.....

WHO IS WITH ME????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!