Week 1 Goals

Week 1 Goals:

- Portion control

- Healthy snacks

- More water

- 20 min. elliptical workout 4-5 times this week

- crunches 4-5 times this week

Square One...again

Ugh.

I don’t even know where to begin…but I feel like I’m pretty much back at square one again. Why is it so hard to stay faithful but so easy to fall away? I suppose that’s an age old question not only asked of healthy living, but asked of many other life experiences. So, I acknowledge I let myself fall back to square one…and as much as I’m disappointed with myself, I’m going to try to move past the disappointment as quickly as possible and just get on with trying again.

I feel like my best results have come from preparation, organization and planning. So, I’m taking the remainder of this week and mapping out a workable plan and goals. I will post more details as I figure them out!

More soon!

The ups and downs of summer

This summer has been a bit bittersweet in terms of this healthy living journey. The first part of the summer went really well. I felt like I was doing well with portions and cutting back on snacks. I set the goal of 150 miles on the elliptical in 5 weeks which I was uber excited to complete!

After Chris's visit home and our blink-of-an-eye vacation - and then Chris's departure - I had a hard time getting back on track. It was a combination of a lot of things - but regardless - I had a hard time getting back into the routine I had.

I have most definitely gained weight - and most definitely lost energy. Though I don't like my clothes being tight - I really don't like how sluggish I feel. Blah.

So this week I have started exercising again and next week I will really focus on my food choices. I'm hoping since I've only been off my routine for a month - my body will snap back. Hehehe...nothing is ever that easy is it! =)

Need a few more hours in the day...

I haven’t updated in awhile…life is always so busy! Anyway, I have two minutes to type this out, so bear with me.

The Goal: The goal started on May 18th and I hope to end it on June 18th with 150 miles travled on my elliptical. It’s probably a good thing I set the goal when I did because more nights than not – I haven’t wanted to exercise. But since I set the goal - I made myself do it anyway...so hard!

This week I’ve been upping the resistance…which is making it a bit more challenging to get the mileage in – but so far I’m still on track for reaching the goal…so far! I’m just waiting for something to jump out of the corner and sidetrack me from reaching the goal.

As far as feeling more energetic and healthier…well, I kinda feel blah. I think my food patterns have something to do with that. I have to somehow figure out how to cook healthier…which is such a challenge. I have always struggled with fitting it ALL in. I can either cook healthy OR exercise…it's such a challenge to do both…since it seems to be able to do both would mean somehow adding a few extra hours in the day. This is definitely a work in progress….the cooking healthy thing…if I could add hours in the day, I would do that in a heartbeat too! =)

There is much more I could blog about, but I’ve already gone over my two minutes and if I don’t jump in the shower now, there won’t be another time today – so I’ll try to blog more later…!

It has begun! =)

Today is Day 1 of the 150 miles in 5 weeks goal! I've started using the tracker on the sidebar to keep track. In order to reach this goal I need to do 30 miles a week. I'm excited to see if this is an attainable goal! Whoooohoooo! =)

150 miles in 5 weeks

Just a quick post to check in! =)

I feel like I'm in a fairly decent routine of eating and exercising right now. Though, I think I'm ready for a challenge. I've been charting my elliptical mileage the last few weeks and thought it might be fun to challenge myself to a certain mileage within a set amount of time. I'm thinking about starting this goal on May 18 and ending it on June 18. In that amount of time I would like to put in 150 miles. I'll set up a way to track my progress on this blog.

Hope you're all having a fabulous day!

Catching up

I must apologize for not being a better blogger lately. The last two months have not been kind to the boys and I in terms of health. Tummy bugs and yucky sinus colds - blah. However, I have tried my hardest to remain faithful to my new exercise regiment with the elliptical and sit-ups. I attempt to do anywhere between 20-45mins on the elliptical a night. Then I do some crunches and stretches. I give myself 1 or 2 nights off a week - but the rest of the nights I make myself do it...even if I don't want too. =)

As far as my diet is concerned, I've really cut down on the snacks. I have tried to up my protein and fiber as well. My weight seems to fluctuate A LOT - even within a week - but right now I'm sticking between 120-122 lbs.

I'm excited to see the warmer weather! Hopefully the boys and I can get out and be super active this summer. This is one of the main reasons I want to be in shape and have more energy. I want to be able to keep up with my two super energetic munchkins!

I ran across a picture of me that was taken last May - so about a year ago. It was reassuring to see that there has been progress made in this whole journey! I am so excited to be toning up and feeling more energetic!

THEN: Here is a picture from May of 2008


NOW: This was from Easter this year - April 2009


Alrighty, I'll try to be better at blogging...I'll try...=)

You guys are doing awesome!

Super super quick...

This will have to be super uber quick - Will is awake from his way-to-short-nap and screaming-screaming-screaming!

Things are going pretty well. I'm back to 123 - only 1 pound from the weight I want to maintain...which is 122.

I think the vitamins and Olive Leaf supplement are really helping.

I LOVE my elliptical!

I'll write more about it all later! I can't take Will's screaming a second longer...



Here is my new elliptical...did I mention that I LOVE this thing?! It's the best!

Good news or bad news first?

This is a good news/bad news blog update. =) The bad news...I'm UP three pounds. It's amazing how quick and easy it is to gain...and how long and tedious it is to lose...then keep those pounds off! I'm not surprised I've gained though. Since Chris has left, my motivation has plummeted...probably because I'm just too tired to care. Being sick while he was home in addition to getting used to having his extra hands to help with the boys made me all the more exhausted trying to readjust after he left. Not sure that made any sense... Anyway, the other factor is that Will is nursing less during the day. And last but not least, I haven't eaten well and I still haven't figured out how in the world to start an exercise routine.

This is where the good news comes in. Back in my days on Marlatt St in Manhattan, I used an elliptical. After moving to Fort Riley, we didn't have a good set-up for it...and it made this persistent clicking noise that just about drove me up the walls. I digress though. When I had it in my little blue house on Marlatt, I used it all the time - it was perfect! I'd turn on the nightly news and exercise away.

It finally occurred to me that this might help me get my cardio. I still want to try Pilates for isometrics and toning - but I was searching for the balance of cardio and strength training. So I started researching what would be the best fit for me. I finally found one that wouldn't break the bank, had a smaller stride (I feel like I'm going to do the splits on some of the ellipticals out there!) and was very compact. The reviews were great - so I took the plunge and ordered it a few days ago. It won't be in for a few weeks, but I'm super excited! I'll post pictures once I get it set up.

The other change I've made is that I'm finally taking my vitamins again. I've also added an herbal supplement called Olive Leaf to my daily routine.

I'm beginning to feel much more motivated to take off these added pounds...probably because my jeans are tight...=) and with this warm weather tease we just got - it makes me want to exercise again. So hopefully I can take this new boost and go with it! =)

I'm such a yo-yo

Hey ya’ll!

This has been a tough week for most of us I think! I’m right there with you. With Chris leaving – getting back into some sort of routine – and dealing with the overwhelming exhaustion of the last few weeks – then there’s the massive amounts of work that is piled high – and though I am continually plugging away at it all…it just keeps growing! Not to mention – the boys are going through some major Daddy withdraw – which means they need loads of extra attention….sigh! I’m so pooped I haven’t been able to even begin to motivate myself to find an exercise plan. I haven’t been eating very well either. Sometimes I wonder if attempting to live healthy will always be such a roller coaster ride. Will I always yo-yo back and forth? If past performance has anything to do with it…I’m in trouble! =)

I wish I could say that things are going to settle down soon and then I’ll have more time to commit – but this is actually the calm before the storm I think! I need another cookie and cup of coffee just thinking about it all! =)

Anyway, I am going to keep trying. Thankfully at this point, I am only up 1 pound. If I can get back on track now, it’ll definitely be to my body’s benefit…and my jeans benefit too! =)

Anyway, I know this blog was far from uplifting. However, I continue to encourage you to just keep on trying as well! I think there will always be times where we struggle to push through. Don’t beat yourself up for little indulgences – allow yourself to be human – smile – breathe – and laugh. The last three are key! =)

MIA

Sorry I've been MIA for the last few weeks! Chris was home on R&R, so we were super busy trying to cram 10 months of missed time into 2 weeks. =) We had a wonderful time - and he sadly had to go back - but thankfully we're on the last half of this separation. I'm SO ready for it to just be OVER!

Anyway - I didn't adhere to any diet nor did I exercise while Chris was home. This means I gotta get back in the groove of some healthy eating and reattempt to find an exercise schedule! I'm dreading my weigh in tomorrow - and am just hoping that somehow...someway I didn't gain an uber amount of weight. We shall see!! =)

Anyway, I don't have too much to say tonight - I'm all tuckered out and am heading for bed. Just wanted to apologize for my disappearance the last 3 weeks and to say I'm back!

More later!

Week 2

I think my first week went pretty well! My jeans are fitting much better again - thankfully!! =)

This week I want to make it a big priority to find an exercise routine that will work. I'm very interested in starting a Pilates workout maybe every other day - and then do some light calisthenics/ light strength training the other days. And then completely rest on Sunday's.

My weekly goals are about the same as last week. I've been eating Special K for breakfast and lunch. Then trying to hold fairly close to South Beach for snacks, sweets and suppers.

Last week we had a really yummy pork chop meal - I'll have to post that recipe this week...maybe it was so yummy because we were all starving though...hmmmm...=) =)

The Exercise Challenge

Well, it's mid-week to this New Start! I weighed in on Monday at exactly 126 pounds. I'm still up 4 from my Christmas Holiday eating. Whoops! It's amazing that 4 pounds can make squeezing into your jeans almost impossible! What's with that?! Oh well!

Although I'd like to see 122 again, I'm going to focus more on toning and maintaining a healthy diet. I already know once I stop nursing, my weight will probably go back up to the 130's again. Nursing is good for burning some calories, but with Will nearing his first birthday, I know he'll start weaning himself soon. So I'm already bracing myself to see the scales go up and not down.

I still haven't figured out when to exercise. Will still co-sleeps, so getting up uber early won't work...since I can't leave him in my bed alone. And, if I wake him up and put him in his crib, he'd just scream all morning...especially since I'd be exercising right next to his crib! And, if he screams all morning, then he'll be a mess all day! No thank you.

Nap time brings the same issue...exercising right next to Will's crib while he's trying to sleep...and most days I work over nap time anyway.

Evenings bring the same challenge....exercising by Will's crib (if you haven't already figured out - Will's crib is in my room) and this is when I do most of my work.

Exercising when the boys are awake is nearly impossible. Will has to be watched constantly because he is always finding his way to the things he isn't supposed to have...and he puts everything in his mouth. And believe me...when I say he has to be watched constantly, that is no exaggeration.

So those are my challenges - any suggestions on how to make the exercise portion of my healthy living happen? Once the weather is nice, I can start taking walks with the boys...but right now, it's not an option. They have far too many colds as it is! =)

As far as healthy eating, I've been very pleased with how this week has gone so far. I've been having cereal for breakfast and lunch - and then eating in accordance to the South Beach Diet for supper. I've cut down the snacks and the sweets as well.

So far so good! Yay! =)

Alrighty, Will is awake and not happy! Must run!

Here we go!

Tomorrow is my big re-start! I will weigh in and if I remember, I'll take pictures. I'm sure I'll forget to do both since mornings are all about getting the boys ready for the day...diapers changed, clothes changed, breakfast, sippys, etc. But I will try to remember! =)

I'm actually really excited. My in-laws are going on the South Beach diet - one they've had tremendous success with in the past. I plan to incorporate this largely into my new plan as well. I will still have the usual breakfast(toast or cereal) and lunches (PB&J or other type of sandwich with a fruit and yogurt) I normally make for the boys - but all my snacks, desserts and evening meals will be based on the South Beach Diet.

I've already planned out the evening meal menu for the week. I'll post any really good recipes I come across. This week we'll have salmon with mixed veggies, grilled tuna with balsamic tomato and mozzarella salad, grilled chicken with grilled veggies, white chicken chili and lastly, center cut boneless pork loin with roasted veggies. Doesn't it all sound so yummy! I'm really excited to try these new recipes. It's a good thing I don't have a lot of edits to do for my job this week...a lighter work load will give me a bit more time to find the kitchen again!

More than the idea of a diet, I'm just really really excited about eating healthy foods again. I really miss the energy and health I feel from eating fresh and natural foods. I really aim to cut WAY down on snacks and sweets. I am still nursing quite a bit, so I know that some healthy snacks will be a must between meals - otherwise I get light headed and feel quite queasy - but I hope to make wiser snack choices.

The one thing I will not be cutting down yet is my coffee. I know I should cut down my caffeine intake - but I drink so much of it - a sudden cut would only result in a horrible headache and exhaustion. Two things that make handling the boys quite a challenge! I will consider gradually dropping my "dosage", but for now, I'm going to focus more on cutting out the sweets and unhealthy snacks.

In terms of exercise...I still haven't come up with a great plan. This will take a bit more organizing. I will dedicate a post on that soon.

So, here are my goals for the week:

Week 1 Goals:
Weigh in and take beginning pics
Eat breakfast - toast or healthy cereal
Eat reasonable lunch - sandwich, fruit and yogurt
Eat only healthy, very small snacks when needed
Cut sweets - only allowing myself sugar free gelatin this first week
Drink more water
Figure out an exercise regiment

Alrighty! More later!!