Weigh-In Wednesday (a day late!)

WOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!

Weight: 233.9 (-1.4 lbs)
BF Weight: 99.3
BF%: 42.5
Body H2O: 41.9%
Bone Mass: 7.1%

Oh man!!!  I am .5 lbs away from being the lightest since being pregnant for Noah!  YES!  I am so freaking PUMPED!!!

Oh man, do I need this http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/superfoods/the-new-superfoods/?sssdmh=dm17.725539&esrc=nwfitdailytip030614.  #2 is beer?!?!  YES!  All things in moderation though, right?  I've never tried Safflower Oil, but I love everything else on that list.  Why am I not eating them all day every day?

I have been so tired lately, almost to the point where I'm feeling quite lethargic and nap a lot....more than I should.  I'm wondering if maybe my thyroid isn't a bit off.  Tests showed years ago hypothyroidism, but I've not taken meds for that in YEARS and tests showed I was within normal ranges.  Not sure what to think about it but maybe it's worth calling the ol doc.

The ball.  Now don't let your minds go into the gutters :-)  The workout ball http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/abs/express/ab-toning-stability-ball-workout/?sssdmh=dm17.725541&esrc=nwfitdailytip030814.  I had one before and it was more of a dust collector than anything.  I'm getting another one, though.  We did some really cool stuff in step class one night with it and I could really feel it the next morning.  Look out MC Sports.  Here I come!

And for the busy parent who doesn't have lots of time to spend in the kitchen http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/fast-food-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.726961&esrc=nwfitdailytip031014#page=1.  First one, banana oatmeal pancakes - YUMM!!!  I'll take some now!

Have an amazing weekend!  Tomorrow is Friday - TGIF!

Playing Catch-Up!

PLEASE please please forgive me for being absent from you for soooo long!  I've been really off lately, so I've got some catching up to do!

I had a GREAT week where I was down 4.6lbs!!!  I really rocked it that week!  I was pretty nervous because I had eaten a good deal of cake!  The next week I was up 1.7lbs (I think the cake caught up to me!) and here are my results from last Wednesday.....

Weight: 235.3 (-1 lb)

BF Weight: 99.5

BF%: 42.3%

Body H2O: 42%

Bone Mass: 7.1

And of course, tomorrow is weigh in again!  I'm in a group of women doing a biggest loser thing and we've lost 70 lbs in 5 weeks!  We are kicking ass and taking names!

I've stepped back from my step class, no pun intended.  With my first 5K coming up in May, I wanted to focus more on running.  Not that continuing with step would have held me back, but I am trying to find that balance between getting to the gym more and making sure I am not pushing my family to the side.  I know I need to make time for me, and I enjoy my time working out, but I also know that if I make big changes, I tend to freak out and quit.  So I need to make small changes.  I was really proud of myself because I went 3.4 miles on the elliptical in 25 minutes the other day!  I have to run a couple errands tomorrow morning after I drop the boys off at preschool then I'm hitting the elliptical. Can't wait for it to be nice out so I can start training outside.  Although, it was beautiful today!  It was at least 46!

One of my favorite kitchen items is my crock pot!!!  I love it!  You throw a few things in, let it cook for 4-6 hours and BOOM - dinner!  Here is a link to an article from Fitness Magazine (which I LOVE by the way, SPW!) and I can't wait to try some of them.  That pulled chicken sandwich looks delish!  http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/easy-healthy-slow-cooker-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.723263&esrc=nwfitdailytip022214

One of my biggest challenges has been healthy snacking.  I am trying to make sure I snack on things high in protein and fiber.  I don't really care for cottage cheese, but I could these little cottage cheese mix-in things with fruit in the store and they are incredible!  I even let Nick eat one the other day :-)  I also love cheese and yogurt.  My new fav go-to snack is the chobani flips.  I can't get enough of the key lime one!  Here are some great tips for eating healthier!  http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/15-ways-to-eat-healthy/?sssdmh=dm17.724422&esrc=nwfitdailytip030214

Guilty!!!  I'm not a good stretcher because I just don't know what to do!  I know it sounds really insane like "Mandi, how do you NOT know how to stretch?" and the answer is I just don't!  This link has helped me a lot!  http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/tips/quick-tricks/flex-time-stretching-guide/?sssdmh=dm17.725538&esrc=nwfitdailytip030514#page=1

Ok, I see this post getting longer and longer so I will save some for tomorrow when I get on here and post my wednesday results!

Be the best you that you can be!

Weigh-in Wednesday

Weight: 234.6 (-4.6!!!!!)

BF weight: 99.4 (down from 102 last week!!)

BF %: 42.4

Body H2O: 42%

Bone Mass: 7.1%

Oh.  My.  Gosh!  Best week yet!  Getting on that scale this morning and seeing that number only made me want to push even harder.  I was so pumped that tonight, before step class, I spent 20 minutes on the elliptical going 2.5 miles!  About 20 minutes into class I wanted to die, but I'm glad I did it.  I'd like to try to go four times a week.  I'd like to make Tues/Thurs running/muscle building days and Mon/Wed is step class.

Gonna return the weighted hula hoop I bought a couple weeks ago.  Thought it would be cool but I'd like to get an exercise ball.  We did some great things with one in step on Monday, and I'd like to do that stuff at home.  I see myself using that a lot more.

Alright, I'm about to hit the hay.  Have a great night and an even better tomorrow!

Weight fluctuations

I've really been into weighing myself everyday.  I don't really take it too seriously, because I know there are 1,000 factors to take into consideration.  Water, bloating (female stuff), building muscle, time of day, etc.  However, I find it incredible that my weight was up a pound from one day to the next!  AHH!  Crossing my fingers that I can maintain the weight from Monday morning when I weigh in tomorrow.  I was down 2.5 from last Wednesday (on Monday), and since I had step class and have really tried to eat right (minus the stupid birthday cake from the boys' birthday party on Sunday!) so I am hoping to see a good number tomorrow!!

I have to complain for a minute, and it's not making me sad that this is happening to me because I know that in a matter of time, it won't bother me because it will be GONE!  The pooch.  The pouch.  The saggy gut from my c-section's where the muscle was cut through twice for my beautiful, amazing boys to enter this world, is the biggest nuisance EVER!!!  In step there are moves where we do knee lifts and OMG it sucks!  I can't get my damn knee as high as I'd like because of hat big ol' pooch!  I am, though, very excited about the fact that soon enough it will be in the past and I won't ever have to worry about knee lifts being cut short because of it.

My cousin posted a great workout to my facebook wall that I want to share with you.  I'm also learning some great ab moves that also incorporate thigh/lower back/arms and so on.  http://lifehacker.com/this-7-minute-research-based-workout-exercises-your-wh-498676327.  I also need to get back to my 30 day plank challenge.  I did a few things that added up to a back injury so I was out of action for about a week.  I actually MISSED the plank at step class last night!  Maybe I'll get down and plank right now!

I love Pinterest and everything that you can find on there.  It's amazing.  I also love my gift subscription that my friend Sarah got for me to Fitness magazine.  It's always got great ideas and I get emails from them with daily fit tips.  AWESOME!

Look for another post tomorrow with my weigh-in results!!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Weight: 239.2 (up 1.4)
BF Weight: 102
BF %: 42.8
Body H20:41.7%
Bone Mass: 7.1

Sorry I skipped last week.  I technically didn't, because I weighed in Wednesday night, but I was out of town and used a different scale so I didn't have all the other fancy stuff.  I was down .4 lbs.  This week I am down 1.4, so I am almost back to square one which really pisses me off.  I had a minor back injury last week, but it was enough to keep me from any cardio/physical activity and as much as I tried to eat really well, it's just not the same without the exercise factor.

I'm not going to be long tonight, I've been working my business and doing tax stuff all day/evening so I am ready to get into bed.  Plus, it's 11:30 pm!

I bought a nutribullet and so far it's been fun making different drinks/smoothies.  I made one yesterday with kale, strawberries, a tangerine and some grapes.  It was pretty pulpy from the tangerine, so I may just use it's juice next time.  The kale didn't blend up completely, so I will let it run a bit more next time.  I missed step all week this week so come Monday I'll be ready to go!  We are having a birthday party for our boys this Sunday so I am going to make lots of healthy options for food!

Ok friends, thanks again for following my blog and supporting me.  It really means a lot!

Weigh-In Wednesday!

Weight: 238.2 (down 2.6lbs.  Looks like I made up for that .6lbs I didn't lose last week!)
BF Weight: 104 (up a pound)
BF%: 43.9 (up .8)
Body Water: 40.9%
Bone Mass: 7.0%

YES!  I love losing!  Weight that is :-)  I felt like I had still slacked off even though I was determined to work it hard so I was surprised at my results.  Just think, though, if I had worked it as hard as I could have, how much more would I have lost?  Either way, if I keep consistent with albs/week, I'll be down to my goal weight by the beginning of January next year!  WOOT WOOT!

Today I have started two things.  The first is a 30 day plank challenge.  We've been doing planks at the end of step class and I was like "whatev, this will be so easy" and then it kicked my ass and I just had to laugh!  I tried the challenge before, well, only day one, and it was too tough so I quit.  This time around it was so much better!  You'd think that a 20 second plank isn't anything to bat an eyelash at.  WRONG.  I was shaking and my muscles were feeling it but I went the entire 20 seconds without taking a break!  Eventually, I will be able to do a plank for 300 seconds/5 minutes!  Here is the challenge if anyone wants to try it!

I also started a "biggest loser" challenge with a group of ladies on Facebook.  We started out in a mom group and then branched off and started a fitness/workout support group and the idea came up to do a biggest loser challenge!  Too bad it didn't start last week, I'd have a great start!

I've been LOVING Pinterest and looking up workout motivation and different workouts.  There is SOOOO much stuff there.  Not to mention the healthy recipes and snack ideas!

Speaking of snacks, it's lunchtime and I've got two hungry boys!

Make today the day you want it to be!  Nobody but you can produce the results you want!

No Excuses!

For all of us who say we can't make it to the gym....
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/gear/dvds/get-slim-without-the-gym/?sssdmh=dm17.718335&esrc=nwfitdailytip012314

Went shopping the other day and loaded up on healthy, protein packed snacks and when I got home I put them ALL into one-helping snack size bags so I can grab and go.  I've got two little ones so I don't always have a lot of time to count/measure out one serving size!

All I had to do was find a place to put it all!

I slid a bit this week on my working out.  I only "worked out" twice and that was for step class.  I did a lot of dancing with my kiddos and lots of housework/cleaning/organizing BUT - I promise you that starting tomorrow it's back on track!

I've been looking into cleanses the last few days and think I may be interested in trying one.  I was told that as long as I am eating healthy and drinking lots of water I don't really need one, but I've eaten crappy for so long that I wonder if maybe it wouldn't help out as I get started with my healthy eating.  Anyone have any suggestions for a cleanse the like?

According to MFP (My Fitness Pal) I've been taking in LOTS of carbs and small amounts of protein so I have been trying to incorporate more protein.  I love Greek yogurt, it's my newest obsession.  Here is a link to some protein packed foods!  http://www.healthaliciousness.com/articles/foods-highest-in-protein.php

Alright, I really didn't have much to say tonight, but I feel like I am losing a bit of my spark so I needed to write to get my mind back in the right frame!

Be Well!