Rokit Fuel

If you're still feeling lucky after the last giveaway link go on over to The Happy Runner for your chance to win Rokit Fuel.

Feeling lucky?

Check out this great giveaway over on The Studly Runner for a Zensah Running Sports Bra.

Rainy monday

It was so hard to get up this morning.  I was laying there when my alarm went off and could hear the rain falling down outside.  I've slept in most of this past week due to being under the weather or up most of the night from dealing with children who were under the weather.  But I did manage to get my butt up and out of bed this morning for the gym.

I started off with 10 min on the Arc Trainer.  Then I switched to the treadmill for a run.  Today I ran 2.5 mile at 5.4/5.5.  When I hit the 2.5 mile marker I slowed down for a cool down walk.  As I was walking, I thought to myself "what the heck are you doing walking?  You wanted to run 3 miles this week so do it".  I then hit the speed up to 5.5 to finish the run.  The last .1 I was at 6.8.  The final total was 3.1 miles in 35:28.  I'm hoping to do the full 3.1 miles without stopping on Wednesday.

This weekend I did good at staying on track with the Weight Watcher points.  Both days were right on the nose.  Yesterday I went to the grocery store and stocked up on our healthy foods.  One of the stores near me has grapes for $.78/lb so I'll be going back there pretty frequent this week.  My goal for Friday is to be out of the 170's.  Will it happen?  I hope so, but won't be all too disappointed if it doesn't.

"The first and the best victory is to conquer self".  -  Plato

Single Leg Dead Lift

I found this exercise in the recent issue of Fitness Magazine.  It was one of the exercises I did the other night while watching Biggest Loser.  My legs were definitely feeling it the next day!

Single-Leg Deadlift

Targets: Back, butt, and hamstrings

• Stand on left leg, knee slightly bent, with toes of right foot on floor slightly behind you, holding a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing fronts of thighs.
• Keeping back flat, bend forward at hips until back is parallel to floor and dumbbells hang directly below shoulders, extending right leg behind you to hip level.
• Do 15 reps. Switch legs, repeat.

Weigh in day

172.2 - .8 lost this week, which I'm totally surprised I even lost due to the lack of gym time.

I'm down with a head cold so no gym today, hopefully tomorrow I'll be healthy again and can go. 

The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph! - Marvin Phillips

Last night was another rough night in the realm of sleep due to the little one's cold, but I managed to get to the gym today FINALLY!  I myself am not feeling 100% due to some congestion, so I decided when I was getting ready to go that I would just take it easy and not run today, but just do the elliptical. Sadly, what used to be my great workout (the elliptical) is now my easy workout.  I even wore my glasses, which I hate wearing on the days I run.

When I got to the gym I hopped on the elliptical and was just staring at the treadmill. Finally I gave in to the urge and stopped the elliptical at 25 min and headed over to the treadmill for a little run.  Since time was running short I decided to work more on speed than distance.  I ran the first mile at 5.5.  Once I hit that mile mark I upped it .1 every 30 seconds.  I ended up running for 15 min, then did a 5 min walk cool down for a total of 45 min cardio.  After cardio I worked on upper body and some core strength training.

Last night for dinner we had one of favorites because it is so easy to make and I don't have to fight the oldest to eat because he loves pancakes.  We had breakfast for dinner.  Pancakes and turkey sausage.  The turkey sausage was 1 pt each and very delicous!  I use the Betty Crocker recipe when making pancakes.  One thing I love to do when baking, because I love to bake, is substitute some of the more unhealthy foods for foods that are healthier.  When making pancakes I substitute applesauce for oil.  You can learn more about how to do that here.  I like to use the unsweetened natural applesauce.

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do". - Eleanor Roosevelt

Pound for Pound Challenge

If you haven't already made a pledge to Pound for Pound Challenge there is still time! For every pound you pledge to lose through May 31, 2011, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 11¢ to Feeding America® — enough to secure one pound of groceries on behalf of local food banks. $1,040,000 maximum donation.

I'm taking the day off from working out today.  I'm feeling a little under the weather and last night my youngest was up a lot so I'm pretty tired today.  Tonight I'm going to bed early so I can hit the gym before my husband has to leave for work (again another early morning for him this week).  I'm just dying not being able to get a really good workout so far this week.

Last night I did do some good lower body and ab workouts while watching Biggest Loser.  For a snack yesterday I made myself a banana smoothie using 1 cup of skim milk, a banana and 1 TBSP of Flax seed (yes I do have quite an obsession with flax seed if you haven't already noticed).  I mixed it up in our Magic Bullet and it was very delicious and 4 pts on the Weight Watchers Points Plus plan.

We had a snowstorm come through yesterday evening/this morning so again I wasn't able to make it to the gym.  When I was pregnant with my first I found Leslie Sansone In Home Walking on Comcast On Demand.  We no longer have On Demand so I searched You Tube last night for it and found it.  That is what I did today.  It was broken down into 2 sections, 1 mile each for a total of about 29 minutes.





Tonight while watching Biggest Loser I will do lower body/core strength training in an attempt to stay awake.  Tomorrow the husband has to be at work ridiculously early so it will be another day without the gym.

Yesterday was just a horrible diet day for me.  I don't know what my problem was, well really I do.   Dealing with a whiney sick 3 year old and a teething/sick 1 year old was getting to me, so I started grabbing a few snacks here and there that I didn't incorporate into my Weight Watcher points.  I did make a yummy dinner of turkey burger laced with Flax seed sans roll (since I knew I went over points with snacks) with a side of asparagus drizzled with a tiny bit of oil and sprinkled with seasonings.  Today is a new day and the eating will be better.

"Rule your mind or it will rule you." - Horace

One of the downfalls about depending on technology to wake you up is that one push of the wrong button and your whole day has changed.  This morning I thought I pushed snooze on my phone when the alarm went off, but apparently I just ended the alarm.  I woke up a little while later and realized what I did.  By that time it would have been impossible for me to get ready, go to the gym and get home in time for the husband to leave.  I've been dealing with 2 sick children which means my sleep has been interrupted, so that extra sleep was beneficial, but I was really looking forward to the gym today - 2.75 miles running.  So that will have to wait until tomorrow.

Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality.
- Ralph Marston


I went to the gym this morning.  I totally felt like i was going to die because it was so hot from everyone's body heat.  That is definitely one of the benefits from going early in the morning when there isn't nearly as many people.  But I got in 2.5 miles running on the treadmill and 30 min Arc trainer.  I then worked on lower body strength as well as some core exercises.

The plank is by far one of my favorite core exercises.  Right now I'm holding myself up for 20 seconds.  Eventually I would love to some of the more advanced versions.

Right now I'm making another batch of the black bean brownies.  We're having meatball sandwiches for dinner.  I used ground turkey and threw in some flax seed while making them.   I've hardly used any weekly points this week and didn't touch any of the activity points so I'm treating myself to some deliciousness. Tonight my husband challenged me to some Kinect when the kids are in bed.  I think I'll be the one who wins. :)

Weigh in day

Today is Friday which means it's weigh in day!  Today's result is 173.0.  That's -2 lbs from last week.  I am so extremely happy to see those numbers going down after being stuck in the upper 170's for the past year.  I am so loving the Weight Watchers Points Plus program, and of course also my gym routine. Last night when I was changing my clothes I flexed my arm muscles and was impressed with what I saw!  Normally it's very flabby but I'm starting to see definition of a bicep! 

Today at the gym I did 45 min on the Arc Trainer then upper body and some core weight training.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day in the upper 60's/low 70's so I spent most of the day outside with the kids at the park and then we took a walk around the neighborhood.  Both boys sat in the wagon the whole time which meant hauling 55+ lbs the entire trip.  Today it's going to be another beauty so we're heading to the zoo which will mean lots of walking and hauling.

We're not doing much this weekend so I'm going to try to make it to the gym tomorrow sometime for another run. 

"That's not sweat, it's your fat cells crying."

I'm so glad I came up with the idea of going to the gym in the mornings, because well I absolutely lose all motivation to go at night.  By the time I put my little one to sleep last night, I was drained.  All I wanted to do was put my pajamas on and veg.  So I asked my husband what time he had to leave for work in the morning and I found out that it was 5:15.  Perfect!  I could wake up and still get a decent cardio workout in.  So that it what I did. 
This morning I did 15 min on the Arc trainer (yes I finally found out the name of that mystery machine at the gym!) and then ran 2.5 miles.  I was DRAGGING on the treadmill for the first mile.  I was contemplating quitting at a mile until I realized why.  When I first started I put the incline at 2.0 and was running at 5.3.  I only wanted to do the incline briefly, but forgot to switch it back.  Once I turned the incline back to normal all was well.  Once I get up to my 3.1 miles I'm going to start doing more inclines because that was a pretty good workout! 

"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change."
-Bill Phillips
 

8 points!!!

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I treated myself to some heart candies.  I checked the point count for one of the candies (after I already ate it) and the points plus value is 8 pts!  For one little piece of chocolate that was gone in one bite.  I get 29 daily points so 8 points is a huge chunk!  I do have to say that is one of the benefits of Weight Watchers that I love.  I took a picture of the candy next to a quarter so you can see the size comparison.  I definitely learned my lesson to check the labels before popping it in my mouth!


This morning was a no go for the gym since my husband had another early morning.  Tomorrow will be another dud so I'm going to try to go tonight, then again Friday morning and possibly Saturday since we don't have plans for the day.

The tragedy in life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.
Benjamin Mays

Today was a short workout since my husband had an early morning meeting he had to go to.  I rolled out of bed today without hitting the snooze button and managed to get a 45 min cardio session done.

Yesterday was Valentine's day.  I treated myself to a few little heart candies that my son brought home from his preschool Valentine party.  We actually had a beautiful day weatherwise here so we broke out the wagon and went for a walk around the neighborhood.  When I drove the route that we walked before it equals out to about 1 mile. My oldest sat in the wagon for about 1/2 of that so I was hauling 55+ lbs.  Of course when we walked, we had to walk at a slower pace, that is until he decided to take off running while pulling his brother in the wagon. :)

The one food that has really helped me get by with my sweet tooth cravings is my black bean brownies.  I'm sure I eat way to many of these, but I always calculate it into my WW points.   I take a box of brownie mix (I've been using Pillsbury because it's on sale) and 1 can of black beans.  Drain, rinse and mash the beans until they're all mashed.  Mix in the brownie mix.  I add a little water so the consistency isn't so thick.  Then bake according to box.  I cut them into 35-40 pieces and it equals out to a little less than 1 WW point.  I round up and just call it 1. 

"There is a powerful driving force inside every human being that once unleashed can make any vision, dream or desire a reality."
-Anthony Robbins

2 New motivations

Last week I received an invitation for my friends wedding in April. I really want to wear a cute dress and not feel frumpy.

Last night I found out that my high school 14/15 year reunion is going to be Thanksgiving weekend this year. I'm not sure if I will go to that it depends on if we go visit my family Thanksgiving weekend or not, but if we do I want to look great! Right now I'm about 40lbs heavier than when I graduated.

Successes at the gym today:
-15 min elliptical warm up
- 2.5 mile run on the treadmill.  I think I did it in about 28 min.  I always forget to look down at the time when I'm done.  Anyways it took so much self talk to keep me going today.  My little legs did not want to keep moving.  Most of the run was done at 5.2/5.4. I plan on doing 2.5 miles the rest of the week then upping it next week to 2.75 miles.
- upper body strength


I stopped by Dunkin Donuts this morning on my way home to get the boys a heart shaped donut and my husband an iced coffee for breakfast.  I'm such a pick eater.  I stopped myself from putting little pieces of donuts in my mouth as I was cutting them up for my youngest.  

"Never, never, never, never give up." - Winston Churchill

Today I was able to get all 3 of my buttons buttoned on my coat that at the beginning of the year was so tight I thought I would bust a seam when I moved my arms.

100 Beginner Running Tips

I came across this article from Completerunning.com and thought I would share. Hopefully some of these tips will help you out.

Apparel Tips

1. Wear spandex shorts under your regular running shorts so you don’t chafe “down there.”
2. Cotton socks will only lead to blisters; invest in socks designed for running.
3. Ladies, do not skimp on a bra. Even if it costs more than your shoes it’s still a bargain.
4. Buy running clothes you look good in and that will motivate you to run.
5. Buy new running clothes at the end of the season when stores dump the old season’s line. Think clearance!

Community

6. Join your local running club—check with your local running store fitness center and/or recreation department to find one.
7. Volunteer at a local race—meet runners support runners and connect with your Community.

Manners

8. Remember to say “Thank You!” to race volunteers (e.g. when you get that cup of water at the aid station) and family and friends who support you.
9. Conscientiously share the trail with walkers, bikers and other runners.
10. Always try to balance running with the people you love by making a schedule that involves and is considerate of everyone.
11. Don’t carry loose change. It will annoy those who are running with you.
12. Don’t neglect and irritate your family and friends by spending all your time running and talking about running.

Motivation Tips

13. Sign up for a race as soon as you feel up to it.
14. Find a committed running partner. It is much harder to skip a run when you have someone else depending on you.
15. Remember that you will have plateaus in your progress and tough days along the way.
16. It gets easier.
17. Accept and appreciate the fact that not every single run can be a good one.
18. Be prepared to remove the words “can’t” and “never” from your vocabulary.
19. “Do not compare yourself to others. Run within yourself and for yourself first.
20. Don’t expect every run to be better than the last one; some of them will hurt.
21. Don’t think too much about it or you won’t do it.
22. Even a bad run is better then no run at all.
23. If you normally run with music try skipping it and listening to your feet to hear your pace and your gait.
24. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t experience weight loss immediately.
25. Start a running blog and read other running blogs regularly.
26. Running is not an excuse to triple your intake of doughnuts because runners gain weight too.

Nutrition Tips

27. Buy the powdered sports drink mix instead of premixed. It’s cheaper and more similar to race drink mixes.
28. Each pound you lose makes running a little easier.
29. Hydrate. Make it a habit to drink water throughout the day.
30. If you are running very long distance drink enough electrolytes (e.g. Gatorade).
31. On long runs eat something every hour—whether you feel like it or not.
32. During longer runs if you don’t like to carry water take some cash in your pocket pouch or a shoe wallet. Run a route where there’s a corner store that you can use as a pit stop to pick up your water and maybe use the bathroom.
33. Avoid eating spicy foods before running and the night before your long runs.
34. To aid recovery the most crucial time to eat and drink is in the hour immediately after you run.

Prevention Tips

35. Use Vaseline or BodyGlide wherever things rub. They will help prevent blisters and chafing (guys don’t forget the nipples).
36. Do not increase your mileage more than 10 percent per week.
37. Guys: Band-Aids before the long runs. Your nipples will thank you in the shower afterwards.
38. Log your mileage for your legs and your Shoes. Too much on either will cause you injury.
39. If you are prone to shin splints and lower leg pain try running soft trails for your Training runs and save the asphalt for race day.
40. Do not run two hard days back-to-back.
41. Ice aches and pains immediately.
42. Pay attention to your form. Try to run lightly to minimize impact that could lead to injury.
43. Cut your Training by at least 30 percent to 50 percent every 4th or 5th week for recovery.
44. When trail running don’t forget the bug spray.
45. Neosporin (or another antibiotic cream) is good for chafed areas (if you didn’t use your BodyGlide!).
46. Make sure you cut your toenails short enough so they don’t jam into your Shoes!
47. Put some BodyGlide between your toes on long runs.
48. Be careful about running on paths that force you to run consistently on a slant. It’s hard on the hips knees and IT bands.
49. Don’t stretch before a run. Warm up by walking briskly or jogging slowly for several minutes.
50. Do not ice for more than 20 minutes at a time.
51. Do not use the hot tub after a race. It will increase inflammation and hinder healing.
52. Frozen peas make a great ice pack for aches and pains. A thin t-towel wrapped around them makes the cold more comfortable.

Racing Tips

53. Race day is not the day to try new shoes, eat new foods, or wear brand new clothing.
54. Do not try a marathon as your first race.
55. For races longer than 5k start out slower than you think you should.
56. If you conserve your energy during the first half of a race, you can finish strong.
57. When you pick up drinking cups at aid stations, squeeze gently so it folds slightly and is easier to drink from it while you are moving.
58. A plastic garbage on race day is a very fashionable cheap disposable raincoat.

Safety Tips

59. Be aware of cyclists approaching you from behind and try to keep to the right. Try to pay special attention when running with music.
60. Run facing traffic.
61. Never assume a car sees you.
62. Give horses wide berths on trails and walk as you pass them unless you enjoy a hoof to the melon.
63. Always carry I.D. because you just never know.

Shoe Tips

64. Try shoes on in the afternoon when your feet are bigger.
65. Doubleknot your shoe laces so they will not come undone when you run.
66. Buy yourself some actual running shoes from an actual running store because running in junk “sneakers” will destroy your feet and your legs.
67. Get assessed for the right kind of running shoes.

Training Tips

68. In the immortal words of Walt Stack famed senior-citizen distance runner “Start slow … and taper.”
69. At first keep your runs short and slow to avoid injury and soreness so you do not quit.
70. If you are breathing too hard slow down or walk a bit until you feel comfortable again.
71. Pick your route close to home (out your front door)—the more convenient it is the better chance you will have sticking with it.
72. Find a beginner training plan for your first race.
73. Set realistic short term and long term goals.
74. Keep a training diary.
75. Soreness one to two days after a run is normal (delayed onset muscle soreness).
76. No amount of money spent on gadget training programs or funny food can substitute for minutes, hours, days and weeks on the road.
77. There’s no shame in walking.
78. Subscribe to a running magazine or pick up a book or two on running.
79. Four laps around the local the high school track equals one mile.
80. Lift weights.
81. It’s okay to take walk breaks (run 1 minute walk 1 minute then progress to run 10 minutes walk 1 minute etc.).
82. Vary your training routes. This will prevent boredom and prevent your body from getting acclimated.
83. Speed work doesn’t have to be scientific. Try racing to one light post and then jogging to the next.
84. Push through rough spots by focusing on the sounds of your breath and feet touching the ground.
85. Do speedwork after you develop an endurance base.
86. Practice running harder in the last half of your runs.
87. Do abdominal breathing to get rid of side cramps or “stitches.”
88. If you can’t find the time to run, take your running gear to work.
89. Run on trails if at all possible. It will be easier on your body and you’ll love it.
90. Build rest into your schedule. Rest is just as important of an element as exercise in your fitness plan.
91. Forgive yourself. Over-ambitious goals usually lead to frustration and giving up on your fitness plan. If you miss a goal or milestone let it go and focus on the next opportunity to get it.
92. Mix-up your training plan. Make sure your training plan is not too heavily focused on one thing. No matter what level of runner you are your training plan should include four essential elements: endurance speed rest cross-training.
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Weather Tips

93. Dress as if it is 10 degrees warmer than the temperature on the thermometer.
94. Wear sunscreen and a hat when the sun is beating down—even in winter.
95. Run early in the morning or later in evening to avoid mid-day heat.
96. Pick up a pair of Yaktrax when running in icey conditions.
97. In the winter dress in layers (coolmax or other technical clothing) and wear a headband over your running hat to cover your ears.
98. For colder climates invest in socks rated to 40 below (usually found in sport/ski shops).
99. To keep cool in hot weather soak a bandana in cold water wring it out a bit and tie it loosely around your neck.
100. For hot weather fill your water bottle about half way lay it at an angle in the freezer and just before you head out for your run top it off with more water.

Weigh in day!

175.0  No gain, no loss.  With the way I ate over the weekend and AF being here - I am quite pleased with that.

Ran 2.25 miles at the gym after a 15 min elliptical warm up.  After cardio I worked on upper body strength and finished with some core exercises. 

Today I have to take the kids to a birthday party at Chic-Fil-A.  I have to check out their nutrition on the website before heading out to figure if I'm going to eat there or before I go.  God I love their waffle fries!

I had to miss another day at the gym today because the husband had to leave for work at a ridiculous hour, so I'll be doing a few things around the house today including Kinect and balance ball.  I have a medicine ball somewhere out in our shed.  This weekend it's supposed to be nice so I think I'll go through it and see if I can find it again.

I did step on the scale again this morning.  This was the first time all week and I was pleasantly surprised.  I'm hoping by tomorrow I can drop a few tenths.  I was fearful at what last weekends pigout session would have done, but all is well.

Don't be intimidated by the impossibility,
Be motivated by the possibility!

Stress Eating

I know stress eating is one of my biggest issues.  Whenever I am stressed out, I reach to food.  Yesterday was a particularly trying day with my independent, stubborn 3 year old and I was maxed out in the stress level by the afternoon.  I noticed myself searching for food.  Heck I even almost baked a cake, but then I realized that 1) it wouldn't be good to have cake in the house right now and 2) the 3 year old would want to help and I wasn't in the mood to deal with that.  I went to the grocery store today and stocked back up on the healthy foods since my stash has almost been depleted.  At least if and when the stress level is upped again the next few days I will have some healthy foods to turn to.

Today was a good gym day.  I started off with the normal 15 min elliptical warm up.  When I switched to the treadmill, my goal was to do 1 mile running, walk, then run another.  As I got going I got into the groove.  1 mile came and I just kept going.  As I got closer to 2 miles, I decided that I would keep going.  During the second mile, I always start to up the speed, normally ending near 6.0.  Today I did the same.  When I hit that 2 mile mark, I upped the speed even more.  Eventually by the time I ended at 2.25 miles I was running at 6.8 I believe.  I didn't know my little legs could run that fast. I was happy to be back in my mojo.

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook yesterday.  She read it on her raisin box.   
"Falling down is not defeat. Defeat is when you fail to get up."

My husband had to leave for work today at 5:15am.  At first I was planning on going to the gym for a short elliptical workout at my regular time.  Then before I went to bed, the thought of waking up at 4am for a 30-40 minute workout didn't seem all that appealing.  So I skipped today.

We recently bought Kinect for the Xbox360 and set it up over the weekend.  At first I was making fun of my husband for wanting it, he first saw it at his brothers house one day when I wasn't there.  But can I say - I LOVE it!  We bought the sports game and my goodness I am so sore.  It has bowling, track and field, volleyball, table tennis, boxing and I think I'm missing another sport.  My oldest (3 years old) really likes to play the bowling.  I think our next purchase for it is going to be  EA Sports or The Biggest Loser.  So that is what I will be doing on the days I don't make it to the gym.

You are what you eat

There was recently a commercial on tv for some kind of food.  I don't remember what the brand was or what exactly the food was, but I do remember the premise of the commercial.  There was a children's soccer team.  One mom fed her child a nutritious food item before the game.  Another mom fed her child a non-nutritious food.  The non-nutritious food child was running around the field dressed in a costume of whatever the food was and was having difficulty playing the game while the nutritious food child was scoring goals.  Words came on the screen or maybe it was an announcer saying something along the lines of you are what you eat. That is exactly how I felt at the gym today.

I had a bad weekend in the food department.  I knew it was going to be bad so I saved my Weight watchers activity and weekly points.  On Saturday we sent the kids to their aunt and uncle's house so the husband and I decided to go to Old Country buffet for lunch/dinner.  Whenever I go to a place like that I always pass on the healthier foods and go right for the grease ... fried chicken, french fries, onion rings, pizza, tacos.  I was in heaven.  Finished the meal off with some kind of chocolate goodness topped with ice cream.  Pure bliss.  My stomach was starting revolt that night.  Horrible indigestion from those onion rings.  But boy were they good onion rings.  Of course yesterday was the Superbowl.  Seriously, you have to eat the yummy food when you're at a Superbowl party.  Chips, dips, hoagies.  Yum Yum.

So this morning I was at the gym.  I did 15 min warm up on the elliptical and then switched to the treadmill for running.  I felt so incredibly sluggish.  Last week I ate awesome, stuck to my weight watcher points every day and drank TONS of water.  On Friday I was able to run those 2 miles with no problems at all.  Today however, after the weekend of horrible eating I could barely do the mile.  I didn't give up though.  I pushed myself to get to that mile.  Then walked 1/4 mile.  I was tempted to just walk the rest of the time, but told myself I had to do it.  So I ran another mile.  By the end I was happy that I did push myself, but the whole time I was hating myself for doing that to my body over the weekend.

But I have read that when you are "dieting" you need to trick your body every now and then because it gets used to what you are doing.  So that is what I did this weekend.  I fooled my body by eating delicious fatty food.  On that note, I will not be stepping on that scale again until Friday.  I will however be sticking to my points and drinking that water again.

"The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places".  ~Author Unknown

2 Accomplishments

This morning has started off great and hopefully the rest of the day will continue that way.

When I stepped on the scale for my weekly weigh-in I saw a number I haven't seen i a while.  175.0!  How sad is it that I'm excited about that. I've been stuck at 177/178 for the longest time.  I'm so happy to finally break past that and hopefully I'll never see those numbers again. 

I've done 1 thing different the past few days.  I've been drinking water.  A lot of water.  Whenever I feel the urge to eat something, I take a drink of water.  I've been using more points on actual meals rather than few points on meals and saving them for snacking.  It seems to be working.  Oh I'm so excited.  This morning my husband made a comment when I got home from the gym that I'm shrinking.  Oh I love it.

The second accomplishment of the day happened at the gym.  I did my normal 12 min warm up on the elliptical then switched to the treadmill.  At first I was going to do the same routine I've been doing of running 1 mile, walking 1/4 and running another.  As I was running I decided to just keep going.  I did stop once I got to 2 miles because I didn't want to overdo it today.  Then I walked until I got to 33 min.  That felt great!

When I'm at the gym I watch the news that is playing on the tv.  The one station did a segment about a way to get rewarded for working out.  Basically you wear this device, after 15 min exercises it will give you a code to enter on the website.  The code will give you points.  You can then redeem the points for gift cards and other devices.  It sounds interesting so I may give it a try.  http://www.s2h.com/

"I wake up every day with the realization that this is it, that there's only one shot at this life and I can either enjoy the ride and live it to its fullest and to my highest potential or I can stay the way I am".

One month

Today marks 1 month from the day I began the new weight watchers points plus program. I did a weigh in today and I am down exactly 8 lbs - 176,0.  Of course I would love for it to be more, but they say it's best to lose 1-2lbs per week fora healthy weight loss, so I'm right on target.

Speaking of target, yesterday I found resistance bands that I totally forgot I bought at Target a looong time ago.  They were never used and still had their price tag on them.  Apparently I found them in the 2 for $5 bins.  So yesterday I used it to work on upper body while watching the Biggest Loser since I fell asleep the other night when it was on.

I had to skip the gym, yet again today.  The hubs had to be at work super early today.  Of course I could have gone last night, but well I didn't think of that.  I'll be running out the door tomorrow morning.  I really need that time in the morning.  I find myself being a better mother on the days when I'm able to make it to the gym and get my blood going before the whining of children begins.

"Feeling healthy and feeling good about yourself is not a luxury - it's an absolute necessity." 

Last night we had freezing rain, so once again I wasn't able to make it to the gym this morning.  I'll try to do some kind of workout during the day today.  My oldest has preschool for a few hours.  Yesterday I found taebo on youtube.  I used to do Taebo all.the.time. in college.  It brought back some memories and I was surprised that for the most part I actually remembered what moves came next!  I did the exercise when the youngest was napping.  The oldest was playing with his Etcha Sketch.  Of course as soon as he finished his design each time, he would come over and want to show it to me.  A simple, oh that's nice wouldn't suffice.  I had to stop and take a good look at it. 

Yesterday I had the munchies bad.  I tried to make sure I accounted for everything I ate.  I just hate being stuck inside the house as much as I have been due to the weather or the kids being sick.  Of course I forgot I bought celery until the day was almost over.  Today will be a better day.

I really wish I would have done measurements at the beginning of my journey.  My clothes are fitting so much better and I would love to know how many inches I've lost, not just a number on the scale.  I have a tape measure around here somewhere, I just need to find it.

"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change."
-Bill Phillips
 

Old man winter was knocking on our door last night so I didn't make it to the gym this morning.  I'm going to try to do a workout from online sometime today.  That is if the boys give me the time.  Some people think that SAHM's have all the time in the world to workout, but I know I certainly don't!  My gym doesn't offer day care so it's not like I can go and drop them off.  When we're home, they can play independently, but a lot of the time I'm chasing the dog away from them, breaking up fights or they want me to play too.  We did buy Kinect over the weekend.  I just need my husband to set it up for us.  I played bowling in the Sports game and that was quite a workout!

Biggest Loser is on tonight!  I love that show. 

"One way to get thin is to re-establish a purpose in life". -Cyril Connolly