I’m working toward a stronger, healthier me. Join me?

You all know that I'm semi-broken and in pain 95% of the time.  What you might not know is I'm not going to let that stop me from reaching my goals.  It might take a little longer than others on the same path, but it's not a race.  I'll get there when I get there; without making things worse for myself like I have in the past.

Yoga and Pilates are good for my flexibility, building some strength, and helping me handle pain better.  But I need more.  I need to get in more exercise (a mix of fun cardio and strength training) and to eat better.  I'm learning as I go along.  The veggie path isn't enough on its own; it has to have more veggies and less veggie junk food.  More water and less veggie junk food.  Notice I said ‘less’ and not ‘no,’ lol. Balanced meals that give me everything I need are on the menu, whether at home or out.   

From now through July 31, there is a killer deal on Beachbody.com - challenge yourself for 30 days for just the cost of shipping.   You can try P90X, Brazil Butt Lift, or Turbo Fire, a month of Shakeology in your choice of flavor, and a 30 day membership in Team Beachbody's Club for $14.95.  If you decide you don't like them or want to go a different route, just cancel and return the DVDs.  But if you like how you feel and what you see, stick with it.  Then you'll be charged the full price for the challenge pack.  Interested?  Visit http://beachbodycoach.com/WAHMinSC or email me. 

I’m not alone in this and neither are you. Slow, steady, consistent progress is what I’m going for.  What about you?

Feel free to ask anything about my routine (a mix), my menu (gluten-free veggie), my mood, and/or progress.  I’m all in and not scared of questions.  

I miss being vegetarian

I do. I miss the challenge of making veg an vegan meals work for the carnivore hubby & son. I miss the shorter clean up time after making dinner. I miss how I felt.

So far I've been able to easily drop pork from my menu. It's very easy because hubby keeps referring to puppy Fred as a pig. Eggs and cheese may always stay on my plate, but I did just fine when I removed the other things. I just got a little lazy and wanted to make things easier. I knew that DD would happily ignore meat, but my boys are a different story. DS even requested steak for his birthday dinner next week.

Yep, my boy (S actually) will be 11 next week. Time flies! In no time I'll be the shortest one in the house, and I'm 5' 6."

What else to share this time. Oh, I've dropped another pound, but am down more inches. I'm still trying to figure that out, but I'm not going to complain. I'm hitting my target on the Women's Challenge of 150 minutes minimum and 2 days of muscle building. I'm ahead of hubby in the hubby v. wife weight loss challenge. Weigh in is on 6/28 - wish me luck! He's falling back into his bad habits when I'm not around. Bad for him, and me, but good as far as the challenge is concerned.

It's late and I have an interesting Saturday planned, so I need to call it a night. I may start posting my weekly menus; at least lunch and dinners. I keep track offline, so why shouldn't I share with you?

Happy Father's Day weekend! I miss you, daddy.

Be well, all.

Another 2 pounds gone, another inch here and there

Yep, I'm getting smaller and Hubby says my butt is higher. Neato! I'm still watching my portions, keeping my protein and simple carbs in check, and going ballistic on fruit and veggies. I like how I've been feeling!

The kids are out of school now, so it will be just loads of fun to exercise around them. Really - no sarcasm there. We bought a Wii Fit last week after Hubby & the kids argued over who would rule supreme on a snowboard and I've been on it 4 times so far. It's addicting and it is possible to work out a sweat on that thing. Today I hit Super Hula Hoop, a run, a few strength training exercises, a little soccer, and hit the snowboard, all in 31 minutes. I loved it! Hubby was blown away by my score on the plank position (he can't remember ever seeing me do it, sigh) and feels the need to beat my scores. Snort! Ain't happening!

On the food front, my fav breakfast these days is a fruit salad topped with a dollop of fat free plain yogurt, flax seeds, oatmeal, and a tsp. of local honey. It's really good! DS has been snacking on it and DD just goes from her fruit plain. In general we've all been eating a lot cleaner. Both of the inlaws are diabetic, so Hubster wants to do whatever he can to avoid that diagnosis. He's pre-diabetic now, so changing the family's way of eating has become more of a priority.

On the exercise front, in addition to the new game, I've again signed up for the Woman Challenge. So far, I've met or exceeded my goals for the past 4 weeks and am going strong. Swing by, take a look, and join me.



Until next time, see ya!

The next 4 weeks

...will consist of final exams, a huge IT Networking project, new house stuff (cleaning, painting, ripping up carpet & finishing hardwood floors, reglazing bathroom tiles, work, school stuff for the kiddos, snuggling with hubster, being knocked over by dogs (as usual), and following the routine that helped me when I started on a weigh loss journey a few years back. This will be my typical weekday routine:

• Get hubster off to work
  
• 15-20 minute walk with the dogs (well, hobble for me until my knee is back to 100%)
  
• 8 Minutes in the Morning
• Breakfast and supplements (multi+iron, GLA, CoQ10, joint formula, flaxseed oil, magnesium + calcium, something for pain if needed)
  
• School & work
• Family stuff - lunch with the kids, torturing them with my 'uncoolness,' dinner with my three favorite people
  
• Afternoon or evening walk or yoga; meditation

On weekends I'll get to skip the am dog walking cause hubster & the kids take over, and I may not have work, but everything else stays the same.

Program and personal goals

• Start 7/14
• 6-8 pounds down by 8/10 (218-220 the goal weight)
• 190 by 12/31

Overall goals

• 150 pounds
• 45 minute to 1 hour karate or kickboxing class (or video) at least twice a week

I will look at myself the way hubby sees me.

When this 4 weeks is over, I'll start a new cycle. I can eat what I want; nothing's forbidden. I will play with my food as always, but will try new things more often. I'll weigh in weekly, but will stay away from the tape measure for at least 2 weeks.