Progress

I’ve been lifting weights lately and when I did a particular weights DVD, I would only use my 5lb weights because I thought more than that would be too much. I’m on a mission to stop babying myself and to push a little harder every day and today when I did the DVD, I decided to do exactly what they were lifting instead of modifying it and only doing 5lbs.

What a difference! There was one set where I have only been lifting 5lbs, but today she was using 25lbs and since I only have weights (for now) up to 10lbs, I went for it. I could actually feel the muscles I was working. I think 25lbs would still be too much for me, but I for sure don’t need to stay doing 5lbs anymore!

I still have a long way to go, but today I proved to myself that I’m capable of doing anything I want. Anything I put my mind to.

Admitting Defeat

I tried. I really tried. Evening workouts just aren’t going to work. Dang it. With 3 little kids and a husband who’s schedule is unpredictable lately, I have skipped and/or shortened so many workouts this week, I may as well as not have done anything. I tried doing a 30 minute DVD the other day that took nearly 2 hours because I had to keep stopping and helping someone with something. Not acceptable. So. Crap. Back to early morning workouts it is. And let me tell you, it was tough waking up early this morning!!!

It’s been a long day…and it’s only 2:15.

I am finally over this cold that had me under it’s hold the last few days. Thank goodness! My house has been suffering this week along with me, things have been picked up, but not cleaned as much as I normally do every day. I’ve been disinfecting my little heart out for most of the day today.

Breakfast: It’s no secret I love egg sandwiches, but I’ve been getting kind of sick of the same old sandwich, so I tried doing something different today and tried it Peanut Butter Fingers style.

 

Safe to say I’m hooked.

English muffin, egg, sharp cheddar cheese and strawberry jam. I can’t wait to try different combos of cheese and jelly. On the side I had a Cara Cara orange, these are my favorite oranges, I was so sad this was the last one in my stash.

Lunch was a little outing for Aiden and I today, we went to a friend’s house with some other moms and two cute little newborns. We had the most delicious soup and rolls, perfect for this snowy {finally!!!!} day.

Time for more disinfecting, hope you’re all having a great day!

Baked, not fried

You may have noticed that there haven’t been any Turbo Fire updates, that’s because I got very discouraged doing one titled Core 20. My body literally can not move like that yet. The core exercises were near impossible and I found myself watching and making half-hearted attempts thinking that would somehow make me capable in doing them.

I haven’t worked out since Saturday morning and was going to admit defeat and do something else instead of the Turbo Fire / ChaLEAN Extreme combo I was doing. And then I received this comment:

You can do it!!!!! Whatever you do, you can’t get discouraged!!!

And this one that made me cry:

Jen you are truly an inspiration!! THIS right here is why you blog. There are so many people who are moments away from walking away from it all BUT all it will take is for them to read this and they will be inspired. YOU will inspire them. You’ve inspired me! Thank you Jen!

I put my big girl pants on and I’m NOT admitting defeat. There are some moves I can’t do right now, but if I keep trying, I will be able to do them!!!

My Mom and I are starting a yoga class tonight. I’m nervous about doing yoga in front of people, but I’m excited as well. And tomorrow morning, I WILL be doing a TF or CLX DVD.

Breakfast:

A Chocolate Nut Bella Bar and a banana. (6P+)

Ingredients: Dates, Walnuts, Pecans, Agave Syrup, Hemp Seed, Rolled Oats, Hemp Powder, Ground Flax, Brown Rice Protein, Cocoa Powder, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Salt.

My 3 year old LOVES these! He thinks they are candy bars! I like how they fill me up for hours and taste delicious as well. I’m not a huge chocolate fan, but these have just enough chocolate to be sweet, but they aren’t overpowering.

Lunch:

I love me some potstickers, they are little dumplings of goodness and up until today, my preferred method of cooking was what they told me to do on the bag; boil in water and then “fry” them in olive oil so they turn brown and get crispy. I had another idea. I turned the oven to 425 and used 2 teaspoons of olive oil (to get in the recommended amount by WW) and baked until they were brown on the top, then flipped them over until they were brown on the other side. Did they taste like they do cooked in a pan with oil? No. But, they were still good and I will cook them like this again!

I also had a simple salad of lettuce, broccoli slaw and Trader Joe’s Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette and strawberries.

Burn

On my schedule for this morning was a Chalean Extreme DVD- Burn Circuit 1. I’m not thinking it was a good sign that I was out of breath and sweating by the end of the 5 minute warm-up.

Oh, and sorry, but you won’t be seeing action shots of me working out…I’m too busy trying not to die.

I’ve done this DVD before, but something has come over me and I’m no longer content half-assing my way through the workouts anymore. I gave it every thing I had and I even did attempted the section with push ups! I know it’s only been a few days, but honestly, I am finding myself actually looking forward to working out. I’m looking forward to sweating and finding out what my body is capable of. Is it safe to say I’m on the path to success?

Yes.!

I’ve also noticed that I’m STARVING. I used to just eat to eat, but now that I’m busting my butt working out, it’s legit hunger and, wait for it…

I want foods that are good for me! I no longer wake up craving mcdonald’s or craving diet cokes. Can you believe I woke up this morning craving a green smoothie?! Who am I?

I’m also finding myself happier. Those endorphins are no joke! Pretty sure a newer version of the old Jen is coming back…and I like it!

For breakfast this morning I had an egg-wich.

• 2 slices whole wheat toast
• 1 oz sharp cheddar cheese
• egg whites
• turkey bacon

And then a sliced kiwi on the side.

We had to go to Trader Joe’s for 2 things; spinach and broccoli slaw. I left 3 bags and $30 later. Happens every time.

My little sidekick and I are finally going to remove Christmas from the house today. I’m pretty sad about it.

Where is a store your credit card (or any type of money) cries when you walk in? Mine is Trader Joe’s, Target and Costco. I can never leave with out spending more than I planned!

2012

I know some people want to wait until January 1st before starting over with weight loss goals, exercise plans, etc., but for me, I can’t wait. I know that if I say I’ll start Monday, Monday will never happen. Last year was nothing but “mondays” for me, and I won’t have that again this year. I was going to start with some other exercise DVD’s, but after a few days I realized they weren’t for me. I contacted my old Coach through Beachbody yesterday and she got me started on a plan that will take me through the next 20 weeks.

 

I’ll be doing a Turbo Fire / ChaLEAN Extreme Hybrid. I looked through the schedule last night and I’m pretty excited about it! Everything is layed out for me, I just have to push play and stick to it!

Like I mentioned, this hybrid schedule is 20 weeks long, which will take me approximately through Memorial Day.

First things first, I had the husband take “before” pictures last night. No body snarking…

but let’s just say I have some things to work on.

And now I realize why my back hurts ALL the time, I look pregnant!!! Craziness. Full disclosure: I weigh more right this second than I did when any of my 3 children were born. That’s just unacceptable.

And then this morning, I took the obligatory measurements.

• Chest: 44”
• R Arm: 13.5”
• L Arm: 13.5”
• Waist: 41”
• Hips: 46.5”
• R Thigh: 24”
• L Thigh: 24”

On the plan for today was Stretch 40

I thought 40 minutes of stretching? Piece of cake. I was so wrong. So very wrong. It was 40 minutes of modified yoga that kicked my beyond out of shape booty and had me wishing I was not so out of shape!!!

After a shower and some much needed lemon water, I had eggs, toast and a tangerine.

Perfect start to my day! I won’t be making resolutions for 2012, but I will be making goals for myself. Because, really, who doesn’t like a fresh start?

I haven’t been to a Weight Watchers meeting since December 10th and I’m terrified about going tomorrow morning. According to my scale, I packed on about 6lbs. But, I don’t have any regrets. I refused to worry about food or anything else this Christmas season. I concentrated on my family, friends, having fun and making memories…because as anyone can tell you, life is way too freaking short to not have fun with your family and indulge every once in awhile!!!