I Need To Workout!

Workout Update

2011-01-31T13:21:00.002-06:00

I got those jeans! Hooray!

This time around, I'll be honest, I have half-assed some of the workouts and have skipped days. Hell, I skipped all of last week (thank you, influenza!). But I'm still seeing results on my physique, if not necessarily the scale. I need to add cardio and cut a few calories to truly see the results I want to see.

I did the math and I officially have 42 days until my first beach trip of the year and then the week we get back, I'll have 13 weeks exactly until the next trip. I'm going to work my ass off between now and spring break, but I won't be able to complete the program.

I worked it out that I have *just* enough time to actually complete all 13 weeks start to finish if I start it up the day after we get back from Mexico.

Folks, that is a lot of working out.

Just sayin'!

This Blog is Dusty!

2011-01-12T11:22:00.003-06:00

Wow. My last post on here is from October of 2009! That is terrible.

Since then, I've *almost* completed P90X once. I came really close. Week 11 of the 13-week program came the week before we left for a trip to Mexico, and I could never get back into the groove once we returned. I tried to do week 11 over twice and then gave up. Summer, after all, was almost over.

So. Um. Yeah. Then came fall and birthdays and Halloween and Thanksgiving and Christmas and all the ensuing highly caloric and fattening foods I simply had to make and taste and eat.

And with that, came squishiness where I definitely do NOT want it and about 5-10 pounds I absolutely hate.

Where I have issues with working out and eating right is the actual motivation and willpower to do the right thing for my body. I have this inner dialogue that is literally always running and most of the time, it is running on and on about food. And whether or not I should do that workout. Most of the time lately, I have been listening to the lazy side of the argument.

And then, my husband and I went shopping together after Christmas. I needed new jeans. I tried many pairs of jeans on and was disgusted by myself and the way they looked (and NO, moving up a size is simply NOT an option). Dr Pop was in the dressing room with me and he is nothing if not honest about how clothes look on me.

Boom!

Motivation!

The next day, I began P90X again. My goal is to complete two weeks and then go back and buy the jeans that *almost* fit.

I haven't been perfect in my workouts (skipping one or two here and there), but I am definitely already seeing results both physically and on the scale.

On Saturday, those jeans will be mine!

Of course, that means that I will only have completed two weeks out of a thirteen week training regimen. So I need more motivation.

Aside from the fact that we will be going to the beach mid-March and again in mid-June, I need something to help me stick with it. I don't think dropping $200 on a pair of jeans every two weeks as a reward for my hard work will be very well-received. ;)

What motivates you?

Stuck

2009-10-20T08:05:00.003-06:00

I'm stuck. My body is stuck. I have no willpower to resist bad foods.

I think I might be a little depressed about it. I do not for the life of me understand how, after working out 3 - 4 days a week, cutting back on the bad stuff (but no, not cutting it completely out), and trying to live a healthier life, I am STILL stuck at this same number.

Look, I normally walk around anywhere between 127 and 132, depending on the time of month, extra indulgences, what have you. I've been stuck between 133 and 136 for about two months or more (since I started weighing myself regularly again). It's really irksome.

I know what I need to do. But I cannot bring myself to do it. I need to kick start with South Beach or something similar. I have exactly 30 days before I board a plane to Mexico. If I spend the next 14 eating lean protein, low fat, lots of veggies, and very few carbs, plus exercise 4 to 5 days out of each seven, I should be there.

[insert whiney voice]BUT IT'S SO HARD![/insert whiney voice]

Three Steps Forward...

2009-10-12T12:37:00.001-06:00

Three Steps Back...

This AM, I was right back at 134.0.

I worked out. I ate well (mostly). I'm at a loss.

38 days until I'll be donning a bikini.

Cleansing

2009-10-05T08:23:00.002-06:00

Update...

So, in my quest for better health and a tighter body by November 20th (the day we leave for our Playa Thanksgiving adventure), I have committed to only weighing myself once a week. On Mondays. Before I get in the shower in the AM.

When I updated two weeks ago, I weighed 133.4.
Last Monday, I weighed 132.2.
Today, I weighed 131.2.

So everything is going in the right direction, right? My goal is 122. I think it's reasonable.

I'm a results-oriented person and I also like instant gratification. The past 12 months have been a yo-yo of working out, eating right, being a slug, eating like crap, starting over, getting discouraged, and a complete yo-yo! I took a couple of months off from working out, and when I would go back to it, I'd run for a couple of days and then take four weeks off. Not good.

I leave for Playa in 45 days. In an effort to jump start things in my body last week, I decided to do a cleanse.

I'm not going to say which one, other than to say it wasn't a starvation cleanse, but more of a "move things along" cleanse. I stuck with it for 6 days, finally giving up yesterday.

I'm not a proponent of "cleanses." I've always railed loud and long about the negative health effects of them. And after last week? I haven't changed my mind. Cleanses are dangerous. When you take what amounts to a handful of laxatives (under the guise of "herbal" and "root" and blah, blah, healthy, blah) twice a day for a week, you are going to lose weight. In my case, I lost a pound, but I coupled the "cleanse" with four days of exercise and one or two better food choices. If I'd coupled the exercise with good, healthy eating, my results would probably had been better cleanse or no cleanse.

The good news from last week? I worked out Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. For that, I'm proud of myself.

Man, this thing is dusty!

2009-09-21T13:37:00.002-06:00

Does the fact that I haven't updated since February mean I haven't been working out?

No.

In fact, I had several spurts of intense workouts during the months of May, June, and July, mainly around a couple of trips to Mazatlan.

Problem is, I have been a slug ever since and in between those intense bursts.

The result?

I weigh 133.4 pounds. There. I put it out there. This morning, I got on the scale, and I weighed 133.4 pounds.

While that is not "heavy" by any stretch of the imagination, and that is a healthy weight, and blah, blah, blah... To put it into perspective, in May of 2007, I weighed in at a svelte, cut, smokin' hot 121 right before leaving for a week in Playa. Before I left for Playa in 2008, I weighed about 123/124. Before I left for my friends' wedding in Cancun, back in February, I weighed about 125. All of those times, I had a flat, ripped stomach and my clothes fit like a dream.

Because of this, I bought more clothes in those new, smaller sizes. And now? These clothes DO. NOT. FIT.

Time is of the essence. My family will be trekking to the beach one more time in 2009 (for Thanksgiving!), and it is damn time I get with it! Again!

So today (and every day between now and then), I am going to exercise. I am going to eat right (with the exception of the bag of cheetos and cupcake I just ate). I am going to get back to my former self.

I have no excuse for what happened. I just ate more and moved less instead of the opposite.

Ugh.

So Hi!

2009-02-09T12:37:00.003-06:00

Well, since I last sat down to compose a post about working out, I've worked out every single day but one (this past Thursday, don't ask).

I'm in a bit of a funk about it, though, to tell you the truth. Do you know that I have not lost ONE. SINGLE. POUND! since ramping up my regime? I think my ass and my tummy still look squishy and I'm not even close to being ready for a beach.

And that is really too bad because three weeks from now, I'll be on a beach. Hmm...

So if I'm working my ass off (figuratively, so not literally at this point), what the Hell is the problem?

Food. As in I cannot stop eating it. As in I had two fast food cheeseburgers this weekend. With french fries and tater tots.

ARGH!

Wish me luck! I'm going to weigh in every Monday (maybe) and post what I've been eating and how much I've exercised. Maybe the blog can hold me accountable.

On the Train

2009-01-30T08:32:00.002-06:00

The workout train, that is...

Last week I went Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. This week, I've worked out (either at home with Turbo Jam or at the gym) every single day. Monday - Thursday. Yeppers!

I also tentatively started South Beach to kick-start my metablolism. HA! I lasted two days!!!

I think as long as I work the cardio, add some weights for definition in my arms and weighted squats and lunges, and continue the intensity for the next three weeks, I will be in decent enough shape for my friends' Mexico beach wedding.

I just have to say no to the cookies!

More Turbo

2009-01-19T11:36:00.002-06:00

Two weeks in a row, people! Two weeks in a row! Go me!

And in other good news, my friend has returned my original Turbo Jam, so I can get back to Turbo Sculpt, Ab Jam, and Cardio Party Mix 1.

I have to say, though, that being limited to the workouts of Maximum Results has been an eye-opener. I've had these DVDs for close to two years and had barely touched any of them. I'm glad to know that I can make it through some of these workouts that had been intimidating to me.

I think I'm going to have to work out six days a week until we leave for Mexico, though, to get back into last year's shape. Oh well.

Maximum Results

2009-01-09T08:36:00.005-06:00

So... If you've even read one post on this blog, you are well aware that I am a huge fan of Turbo Jam. I cannot say enough positive things about it. Chalene Johnson's workouts are intense and produce results.

I purchased Turbo Jam in 2006 after watching an infomercial and have been using it ever since. In 2007, somewhat bored with the current routine of 5 workouts (of which I did 3 on a regular basis), I ordered Turbo Jam "Maximum Results." And it kicked my ass. I thought it was so hard, that I really only utilized two of the workouts (Fat Blaster and Totally Tubular Turbo). Then I got a gym membership for my birthday last year and really stopped the Turbo.

Fast forward to about a month ago. I did the unthinkable and loaned out my original Turbo Jam workouts to a neighbor. She still has them. And I'm going to Mexico in 7 weeks. I used the whole "I only have Maximum Results and I hate it" bit as an excuse to not get off my ass and work out, until I could no longer ignore the "squishyness" of my body.*

*Cue my friends who will immediately jump in and say, "You're not fat!" Duh. I know that I'm a healthy weight. But all that lovely muscle and those flat-ish abs have gone away in a whirlwind of TV-watching, chip and queso-eating, fast food and holiday binge.

Tuesday, I finally got my lazy butt off the couch and popped in Fat Blaster. 30 minutes later, I was drenched in sweat, breathing laboriously, and generally feeling like I was going to die. Wednesday, I pulled out "Cardio Party, Mix 3," my nemesis. The workout that I couldn't get even 1/3 of the way through the first three times I attempted. 50 minutes later, my legs were shaking like they were made of jello and my hip flexor and oblique muscles burned... In a good way. Even better? The feeling of accomplishment I felt in that I had done every rep, every exercise, every minute of the workout! For the first time EVER! Thursday, though? I was hurting. But I sucked it up and did the Totally Tubular Turbo (this is a 30-minute resistance band routine for muscle/strength/toning). It wasn't as intense of a cardio workout, but it worked all my muscles.

Hooray! I'm feeling the pain today, and I won't workout today. But I have got to keep up with the workouts because I WILL once again rock the Riviera Maya!

Didn't Do Turbo Last Night

2008-11-13T07:58:00.002-06:00

Instead, Dr Pop and I went to the gym where I...

Spent 25 minutes running on the treadmill
Worked my abs on two ab machines
Worked on my shoulders
Worked on my arms
Spent 5 minutes on the elliptical

I can hardly move today.

Turb-OHMYGOD!

2008-11-12T15:46:00.002-06:00

I returned to my Turbo Jam roots last night. I did the "Fat Blaster" 30-minute workout. Today, my legs and arms feel like jello.

This tells me that for all the elliptical, stair master, and treadmill work I've done (granted, not much over the past month), nothing will work me out better than Turbo Jam.

I'm hoping to have enough in me this evening to do a Turbo Sculpt DVD.

One good side effect of the working out, though, is that I absolutely hate to undo the hard work with bad food. Last night I made Tilapia with an orzo salad for dinner. Yummy! Well, except for the orzo. I've never made it before, but didn't like all of the ingredients called for in the www.food.com recipe, so I modified it. Shouldn't have done that.

Motivation

2008-11-03T07:43:00.001-06:00

I have to say that I have not been doing very well with the working out. Don't get me wrong, I've actually worked out on a somewhat regular basis all summer long. I've taken a week or two off here and there, but I've gone to the gym or exercised at least two days per week most weeks since June.

Where I've completely fallen off the wagon is with food. I've not been making good choices. So between the small amount of physical activity and the large amounts of really bad for me food, I'm back at my pre-vacation weight.

Here we go again. If I'm not focusing on it and blogging about it, I don't do it. Ugh.

So my motivation is now to get in stronger cardiovasuclar shape for an upcoming ski trip before Christmas. Then, my goal is to not overdo the holidays with the eating, and continue to exercise regularly, so that I will look good for a February Mexico trip.

I guess it takes the threat of bikini pictures to really get me moving.

Exercising in the Summer

2008-06-25T14:10:00.002-06:00

It is so hard to work out in the summertime! For one thing, it is way too hot! For another, there are many more activities I'd rather do in the extended daylight hours that include, but are not limited to:

Floating on a raft in the pool
Sitting on my couch in the air-conditioned living room with the blinds closed
Eating ice cream

Oops.

I have been doing some sporadic swimming here and there. But to be perfectly frank here, I've been mostly a lazy bum. It should be no surprise then that my laziness is noticable on, well, my bum!

I returned to the gym yesterday.

Go me!

Still Working Out and Abs Stuff...

2008-06-06T14:36:00.004-06:00

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to be motivated to work out and start living a healthy life for more than the two or three months leading up to our annual trek to Mexico.

Last year was a total bust in that regard.

I'm pleased to report that we've gone to the gym twice this week! That's two times more than I went in the two MONTHS post-Mexico last year!!

A commenter on my main blog asked what I do as far as working my abs out. I have to say that the main thing I did was to turn my hips and suck in for photos. ;-)

Seriously, though, my workouts consist of three main components when I go to the gym:
Cardio for 30 minutes (and I mean running or going hard on the elliptical)
Arms and shoulders (3 or 4 set circuit of low-weights and high reps)
Ab machines (3 sets of obliques, crunch machine, upright leg lifts)

When I'm at home, I use the Turbo Jam DVDs. The intro set comes with a killer 20-minute ab routine, but the entire workout is geared toward building your core, so even the cardio parts are ab-intensive.

I also have a DVD that came free with my first Turbo Jam called Ab Ripper 200. It is part of the Tony Horton Power 90 set, but I don't know how to get just that little 6-minute video. You might try ebay.

I'm all about the shortcut and getting the maximum results with the least amount of effort, but because your ab muscles don't really start to show until you burn the fat on top, there is no easy way out.

Hi! I suck!

2008-05-22T11:32:00.002-06:00

Where do I begin?

I have to get over the fact that this year is not the same as last year and that I did not work out like a crazy woman 6 days a week for three solid months and also during that time period gave up virtually all "bad" foods.

It did not happen this year.

So while I am a bit disappointed in myself and the fact that I'm not as toned as I'd like to be, I'm happy with myself.

Here's why...

I now have a gym membership and a workout buddy (Hi Dr Pop!)
I have not burned out with the being healthy
Because of that, I am more likely to stick with a healthier lifestyle
I now have a Wii Fit and can't wait to really start playing with it
I don't look terrible in a bikini

So there you have it! I'll be removing the countdown ticker when I get back and will really go to town with this blog. I need all the motivation I can get once the beach vacation is over.

An Open Letter to My Belly

2008-05-15T13:27:00.002-06:00

Dear Belly,

You and I have been through quite a lot together. We've suffered through stomach flus. We lived through workouts. We survived a pregnancy. I want to thank you for not producing stretch marks as my son grew inside you, by the way. You really rocked that one! And the way you went back to normal? It may have taken a while, but hot damn! You rocked that as well! I would like to think that you and I have a mutual respect for one another. After all, I feed you well (most of the time); I make sure you get plenty of exercise via lots of cardio and abdominal crunches; I take care of you when you are sick.

Today, however, I feel we are at a crossroads. I know I have a genetic predisposition to a certain condition we'll call "bloat." Because of this, I do pay close attention to the times when you are a little swollen and uncomfortable and try to treat accordingly. In the past, all I would have to do is take a little medicine or exercise a little more and our "bloat" would be gone in an instant!

Are you on strike or something???

Look. You and I are getting on a plane next Friday to go to the beach for 9 days. I have two brand new adorable bikinis this year (plus those from last year) and YOU are not cooperating with me. What gives?

In an effort to return to our old, good relationship of yore, I'm calling a truce. For the next seven days, I'm going to not stress out about your, um, tendency to swell. I'm going to continue to exercise like I have been. I'm going to give up the Benefiber in an effort to give you a rest. I'm going to give you plenty of water. I'm going to drink lots of tea. Maybe, just maybe, we will be on friendly terms by next Friday.

Love,
Mrs. Pop

P.S. Could ya stop craving those cookies and chips???

Neglectful

2008-04-28T08:06:00.002-06:00

Hoo-boy! Yesterday, I was a bad, bad girl... I did not exercise at all and mainly ate to soothe my hangover.

Saturday was not much better than Sunday, either.

Too much drinking, too much eating to ease the after-effects of the demon drink, and not enough movement.

I've been bad.

I need to turn it around and get back on the wagon today! And be good, super-good, really, really good for the next three weeks and four days (25 days total)!

I must do crunches every day!
I must eat right every day!
I must do cardio every day!

Aaaaaaaaaccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!

Down to a Month

2008-04-23T06:39:00.002-06:00

Well, I've hit one goal in my quest to get ready for the beach. But, as I noticed on Saturday at the pool, I'm not nearly as toned as I want to be.

With 30 days left, my focus is on building lean muscle and toning my abs, ass, and arms. The three A's if you will.

I've made a commitment to do my ab program every day. So far, I've gone three days in a row (Sunday and Monday were my Ab Ripper 200 DVD and yesterday, I did the ab machines at the gym).

I've done cardio... LOTS of cardio. I think tonight I'll focus on strength and body toning and give the running a break.

My only problem this year is with food. I've been drinking the sludge. I've been adding protein. I have been saying "no" to fast food and most unhealthy choices. But I'm so hungry! I've been really bad in the evening hours... Last night I took a tortilla and spread shredded cheese on it and nuked it for 15 seconds, rolled it up, and devoured it. The night before, I had a peanut butter sandwich. Both of these things were after dinner. Ugh.

I'm in a weird place right now with the whole food thing. If I want to meet my goals, I need to eat right. But it is so darn boring! And I don't want to give up the bad stuff forever. But every time I indulge in something I know I shouldn't be eating, it seems I take a step backwards, even with the working out.

Yeah. I'm frustrated. But I'm frustrated for the future, not today. Once this trip is over, how am I going to handle life? Will I go back to my old ways? Will I stay on this path? One thing I do know for sure is that working out and meeting goals is a lot harder this year than it was last year. I'm not sure I can make any other choice than to continue and not turn into a slug for 8 months.

38 days until we leave

2008-04-15T13:38:00.002-06:00

Despite being completely harried and crazy last week, I did manage to work out on Tuesday and Friday. I kicked my ass, if I do say so myself!

There was no working out over the weekend, but I logged three miles on the treadmill yesterday.

Today, I plan to either do Turbo Sculpt at home or work out with the weights at the gym with very little cardio. My knees need the break!

Quite Obviously

2008-04-11T09:21:00.001-06:00

My best laid plans for working out and eating right this week have been put on hold...

No working out, but the stress has curbed my appetite, so it's a trade-off.

Another Note to Self...

2008-04-09T12:34:00.003-06:00

Dear Self,

I don't want you to panic, but you will be getting on a plane to the beach in 44 days. That gives you roughly 43 more days to get your damned act together and stop eating crap!

But you did a great job yesterday and many kudos to you for not getting a double cheeseburger at McDonald's when you really, REALLY wanted one.

And double-kudos for working out. It was touch and go for a while, I know, and I do not recommend a 10PM Turbo Jam session with weighted gloves to become a regular occurrence, but good for you for doing it, when you could have simply kept your ass glued firmly to the couch!

Love,
Me

P.S. The next time you think it would be a "good" idea to eat a frozen dinner that has been in your freezer since 2006, please think twice.

P.P.S. You have a huge bag of frozen chicken breasts that could have been baked in that time period.

P.P.P.S. But good for you for at least eating something that tried to be healthy. Even though it was nasty.

46 Days and Counting...

2008-04-07T12:32:00.002-06:00

There's just over a month and a half to go and I'm yo-yo-ing like crazy!

I do well during the week and then blow it all to hell on the weekend! Lovely.

I worked out each day, Monday through Friday, drank the sludge every day last week, ate right, blah, blah, blah...

Friday, I was a champ, though... Worked out, came home, took a shower, and went out with my husband...

But I ate like shit on Saturday and Sunday and did not exercise at all... So I'm back at square one. AGAIN!!!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday...

2008-04-04T10:43:00.002-06:00

Even though I didn't do *much* on Tuesday, I did do some strength training with my dumbells.

That means, I've gone four days in a row! Go me!

And I've consumed the sludge every day for the past two weeks except for one.

Yay!

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid

2008-04-03T06:51:00.002-06:00

I don't know quite what I was thinking... Okay, that's not exactly true. I was in a zone. I was wanting to burn calories. I was wanting to build some muscle.

So.

Yesterday evening.

I did Turbo Sculpt (all of it).

Then I did Fat Blaster (all of it).

Today I'm in agony.

Quick Little Update

2008-04-02T14:40:00.004-06:00

Monday -- 3/31 -- Drank sludge, ate reasonably well until nighttime when all bets were off, spent 45 minutes on the elliptical going absolutely nowhere.
Tuesday -- 4/1 -- Drank sludge, ate reasonably well until nighttime when all bets were off, took a nap, played a little with my dumbells. But I did envision myself doing the entire Turbo Sculp DVD while I was in a semi-awake state. Does that count?

Today, I've done very well so far with the eating, but my measure is how much of Boy Pop's Easter candy I consume after I get home. I'll more than likely do a Turbo Jam as Dr Pop will be driving home from a business trip during our normal gym time.

Still the One

2008-03-31T13:59:00.002-06:00

More than the gym, more than the free weights, more than the ipod and neighborhood running path, Chalene is the one who gives me results.

I did Turbo Sculpt twice last week (once all the way through and once for 20 minutes after a 30 minute run). For the first time in quite some time, I see some results.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy going to the gym and using those machines. I completely see and recognize the value and I do not intend to stop.

But for a good, fat-burning, cardio blasting, make-you-sweat workout, give me Fat Blaster, Cardio Party Mix 1, and Turbo Sculpt!

I've hit this wall and I am getting a little discouraged. It seems that no matter what I do or what I eat, I am stuck. I keep comparing my body this year to my body last year, and frankly, this year's isn't adding up. It's like I'm the poster child for the reason you DON'T stop working out! I have 53 days to whip myself into shape and looking at it from that perspective, I don't have enough time!

Of course, looking at it from the other side, my vacation cannot come soon enough, but that's another story for another blog.

Here's the past week in review:
Monday -- 3/24 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Went to gym.
Tuesday -- 3/25 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Did Turbo Sculpt (entire thing!).
Wednesday -- 3/26 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Walked to park, played at park, walked back with son. Spent 4.5 hours in the AM at the emergency room with Dr Pop. Long story.
Thursday -- 3/27 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Did not work out as spent entirely too much time at office of orthopedic surgeon (another long story).
Friday -- 3/28 -- Ate like a pig. Drank sludge. Did not work out as was too lazy.
Saturday -- 3/29 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Snacked a bit too much. Went on aforementioned 30 minute run in neighborhood and 20-minutes of Turbo Sculpt.
Sunday -- 3/30 -- Ate like a pig. Did not drink sludge. Did not work out.

Monday -- 3/31 (so far) -- Got on scale and had gained 4 pounds since Thursday. Depressed. Eating reasonably well so far. Drank sludge. Have plans to go to gym with gimpy husband.

You Really CAN'T Go Home Again! And Better Sludge!

2008-03-25T09:18:00.003-06:00

Not if you're trying to be healthy, that is!

This past weekend, we traveled to my hometown for Easter. I ate like a pig! Thanks Mom for making those cupcakes and cookies and then holding me down and forcing me to eat them (no, not really, but I did eat too much)! Oh well.

I have some sludge news!!!

I have been using Greens Plus (http://www.greensplus.com/) because it is available at my local vitamin store. The taste has been completely gag-inducing, but the powder was very convenient. Well. My parents decided to try the other recommended product, Greens First (www.doctorsfornutrition.com) and they bought an extra can for me.

WOW! All I can say is WOW! It tastes good! You read that correctly. It tastes good. Sort of sweet and minty. So for the past two mornings, before I leave for work, I mix a scoop of the powder with three teaspoons of Benefiber and 4 ounces of water, drink it, then chase it with another glass of water and I feel terriffic!

I'm not putting in the spirulina powder because it just tastes like skanky pond scummy water (or how I imagine skanky pond scummy water would taste) and instead I'm taking spirulina tablets with my vitamins.

I have an amazing amount of energy!

Even though I did not eat well over the weekend, I did manage to get a three mile run/walk in on Saturday morning. My mom and dad were impressed with my ability to do that!

Last week was pretty terrible as far as working out goes. I worked out Monday and Tuesday, Boy Pop was sick on Wednesday, and we went to the carnival (for a second time) on Thursday. Friday was spent trying to get out of town and actually driving 3.5 hours.

I have a ton of pictures from the weekend that I'm going to post on my main blog and some shopping news, too.

We leave for Mexico in under two months and Dr Pop and I are stepping up our efforts to get into swimsuit shape. We went to the gym yesterday for an hour. I'm buying protein bars and eating lots of fruit and salad and lean protein and whole grains.

If I could only get rid of my bloat...

I Think I Prefer the Treadmill

2008-03-17T17:32:00.001-06:00

Which means I should be doing more Turbo Jam!

I just had my ass kicked by Chalene Johnson. But I made it all of the way through Cardio Party Mix 1, which is a feat I haven't accomplished in a year!

So that, um, snacking I did right after work might not stay on my middle today.

Going...

2008-03-17T11:43:00.002-06:00

Two months and six days until "B" day (that would be bikini day)...

Last week, I went to the gym on Wednesday and Friday. I walked to the park and back with my boy on Tuesday. I walked/ran to the park and back by myself on Thursday. I shoveled poop yesterday. That counts, right?

I think I'm doing something wrong, though, and I cannot put my finger on it. I'm eating lots of fruits and veggies, mostly drinking that sludge, eating lean meats and low-sodium foods. I'm exercising 3 to 4 days a week and have been for a month or so now.

And yet... I look the same! If it's possible, I look bigger in places I shouldn't. I'm bloated. Maybe it's an instant-gratification mentality, but I want to see results! Like yesterday.

I'm still motiviated to keep going, but I feel pretty discouraged. Yes, I'm still snacking, but hell's bells! I've cut WAY back on Diet Coke, chips, candy, and cookies. A woman cannot live on lettuce alone.

Oh. Um. Hi. Is this thing on?

2008-03-12T10:17:00.004-06:00

...
Silence
...

I've been neglectful of my little workout spot. Wanna know why? LIFE! Stupid life, getting in the way of living and writing and stuff!

Oh, okay, I've been lazy.

Sue me.

I haven't been back to the gym since the free trainer visit. I know, I know... Whatever. I did manage to walk to the park and play with my boy on Saturday and yesterday, though. It's something. Not much. But something.

I just looked at my countdown ticker. I have two months and 11 days. That's it.

Last year, prior to our trip, I worked out literally 5 to 6 days a week. I didn't do weights every day, but I did some sort of aerobic activity (Turbo Jam, walking, running) almost every single day.

I'm going to have to bite the bullet again. It's time to be ACTIVE again. It's time to start obsessing.

But I did start drinking the sludge again on Sunday. Ugh. It's still as nasty as ever. But whatever works, right?

And I'm giving up junk food. Except for tortilla chips. And party foods.

This bod will be TIGHT by the end of May!

But I still contend that the best part is my newfound workout buddy who will make sure I go to the gym even if he has to drag me there himself. I love that we are doing this together.

Gym Update (and general update)... A "State of the Process" if you will...

2008-03-06T10:33:00.002-06:00

I haven't yet gotten into the routine I was in last spring, leading up to my Mexico trip, but I'm *this* close...

Last week, I only worked out two days (Tuesday and Saturday). There was simply too much life going on around me, you know, it being my birthday and anniversary week and all...

Dr Pop and I gathered up our boy and went to the gym Monday and I ran! Two whole miles! Non-stop! On the treadmill...

So, um, yeah, running on the treadmill is slightly easier than running through my neighborhood, it would seem. Who knew? Of course, I didn't run on an incline at the gym, so that might have something to do with it.

I also made some decent food choices even though we spent a lot of time in restaurants over the end of the week and through the weekend. Lots of salads and seafood and wraps. I'm sure the butter I drowned my crab claws and crab legs in wasn't that healthy, but Hello? special occasion, who cares? ;-)

Yesterday, I met with a trainer for my "free introductory session" which was really "we'll tell you stuff you already know, make you laugh, and try to get you to sign up to pay $35 an hour for more of our services." I did enjoy it, but it took forever! They showed me how to use some scary-looking machines and I worked my back, arms, shoulders, and abs. I'm feeling it somewhat today, but I'm a "Day 2" soreness person, so I fully expect to not be able to move tomorrow.

I enjoyed the trainers that I worked with, but I don't think I'll be signing up for any further sessions. The truth is, I know what I need to do. I know how long I need to do it. I know what my nutrition needs to be. I know I need to steer clear of fast food, salt, sweets, and junk food. Duh. And having a person call me and get on my ass about what I'm eating and how much I'm exercising seems a bit extreme. I have one of those living with me already. Hi Honey!

For now, I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing, incorporate some of the moves they taught me yesterday, use my DVDs every now and then, and just make healthy food choices.*

*This includes the green sludge that I can only seem to manage to drink for a week at a time.

I Could Get Used To It

2008-02-27T08:20:00.002-06:00

After work yesterday, we all loaded up and headed over to the gym. Boy Pop was a little wary of the children's area at first, but was soon writing all over the dry erase board and watching Charlotte's Web.

Then Dr Pop and I went our separate ways... Him to the weight equipment, me to the cardio equipment. Now this is where we really need two IPods because I hijacked ours for myself. I have to go off on a tangent now. I love my workout playlist!!! I made it kind of long, so in half an hour I didn't get through it all, but I love the order of my songs:

"Bad Boy for Life" -- P.Diddy
"Piece of Me" -- Britney
"Puke" -- Eminem
"Ayo Technology" -- 50 Cent/Justin Timberlake
"Hips Don't Lie" -- Shakira
"Kryptonite" -- 3 Doors Down
"Crank Dat" -- Soulja Boy
"Fake" -- Pushmonkey

Those songs took me to over 30 minutes of cardio. And the ebb and flow of the music really made me get on it.

Sadly, my new gym does not have any classes to take, but that's okay. I get a session with a personal trainer instead. I already have my appointment made.

I cannot give up my Exercise on Demand or my Turbo Jam, but going to the gym with my family was fun. I'm glad we are doing this.

The Gym

2008-02-26T12:12:00.003-06:00

So. Dr Pop gave me an early birthday present, namely, a membership to a nearby gym.

I'm very excited about it, actually. I've been a member of my work gym for almost two years and have only gone about three times. I know that this stat does not bode well for my new membership, but I have compiled a list of reasons why the new gym will be better:

It is not at work
They have a children's area
Dr Pop and I can work out together, which has been a goal of mine
Cool classes that I can take on the weekend that are not offered by the work gym **I hope**
Lots of cool equipment for me to try without being intimidated by the whole, I'm at work thing
Personal trainer

But there are also a few cons about going to the gym, even if it is nearby...

Drive time
It's easier to pop in a DVD or go outside and run
I'm fairly lazy

I think, though, in the long run, I'll have Dr Pop riding my ass enough that I won't be able to help but get my buns over to the pretty new gym and use the equipment there.

Wish me luck!

Oh, and this week will be light on the exersize, I'm afraid... I didn't work out yesterday as I was too busy celebrating the new membership (yes, I know this is weird). I won't work out tomorrow as I will be sitting in a salon chair getting my roots touched up. I won't work out on Thursday as I will be preparing for a lovely birthday dinner.

That leaves today, Friday, and Saturday for the workouts. I plan to check out the gym tonight.

Good Girl

2008-02-25T09:52:00.002-06:00

Dang, I was good last week and this past weekend!

I drank that demon sludge for seven consecutive days.

I worked out. A lot. And I worked out every day of the weekend.

I maybe didn't make the best food choices, but damned if I didn't burn off what I could!

Regarding my workouts, I've been trying very hard to mix things up.

Friday, I did the Turbo Jam Fat Blaster.
Saturday, I did a slow walk to the park and back with my son, and played with him while there, then did the Turbo Jam 3T (Totally Tubular Turbo) DVD.
Sunday, I ran/walked two miles.

I think as long as I put some variety into it, I'll achieve the results I want without being bored. The walk/jog deal really gives my knees the best definition. The Turbo Jam is great for my ass and thighs. The slow walks to the park and playing in the park, well, that makes my son happy.

I just really need to make sure I do Turbo Sculpt a couple of times a week as that works my arms and shoulders so well (much better than 3T).

And that is all for today. I'm hoping to get a workout in today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, as I cannot imagine I'll be exercising on my birthday or Friday for that matter. I'll have birthday money to spend on that day!

Focus

2008-02-20T12:43:00.002-06:00

Last spring I was focused on dropping a few pounds and toning my body...

This time around, I'm less-focused on the weight aspect of things. My goal is overall health and fitness.

That being said, I'm working very hard to cut junk out of my diet. I see these questionaires asking if I prefer sweet or salty snacks, and my answer is always "YES!"

I love McDonald's and enchiladas and salty potato chips with green onion dip the same way I love chocolate cake, cookies, and candy. I really don't favor one over the other. That is what makes this, this lifestyle change so damn difficult. I have to give up literally everything that I adore in order to make the healthy choices.

And don't try to appease me with those 100-calorie packs of all my favorite things. I've tried 'em. They give a taste of the goodness and leave me wanting more. ARGH!

Oh well. I'm working now on finding new ways to make my old favorites. I am not going to give up my vices completely. That only leads to utter failure (see my tragic downfall last summer where I ate salads and soups and greens for two and a half months straight and then the moment I started my vacation, I loaded up on pizza, hamburgers, and very fattening food choices).

If anyone has any ideas for making pizza healthy, I'd love to hear them!

Meanwhile, I WILL work out. I WILL eat the right foods. I WILL drink this damn green sludge.

Better People Than Me

2008-02-19T08:38:00.002-06:00

My mom, my dad, and my friend Amy. What do they have in common?

They can drink the green sludge.

Me? I started it up again yesterday and managed to get half of it down before I started gagging just like the people used to do on Fear Factor.

Um. Yeah.

I don't know what I'm going to do.

In other news, I did do TurboJam Fat Blaster last night. Good stuff!

Redoubling My Efforts

2008-02-18T09:16:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, Dr Pop and I researched vacation locations.

Even though I've been trying to focus more on eating the right things and exercising regularly, I haven't been that good at it. One of my resolutions for 2008 was to eat right and exercise frequently without thinking about a trip to the beach. Unfortunately, that ship may have sailed.

Gotta get bikini-ready again. My new goal is to whip this old body into shape and then not lose my mind once I set foot on tropical soil. The job doesn't end when I reach my goal figure. Last year, I didn't pay any attention to maintenance. This year and from now on, I will...

That being said, today is a new start to the new, healthier me. I'm going to start drinking sludge again, make healthy food choices, and exercise.

Speaking of the sludge, my friend Amy emailed me Friday night... She had this to say, "I'm assuming this is what they mean by "glow". My skin is so smooth and shiny! Seriously - and I am heavily skeptical. I don't even know what day number this is - I intend to keep drinking this stuff forever at this point!" The sludge worked for someone I actually KNOW. In REAL life!

On another note, the site where I go to track my calories and exersise has now officially been blocked by my company's firewall. I'm on my own.

The Joke's On Me

2008-02-14T12:56:00.002-06:00

Well, I drank the sludge minus the powdered spirulina on Tuesday... And it tasted the same! ARGH! Oh well. Not much longer to go...

Except I was sick yesterday and did not drink it at all...

Sludge, Day 6 (5)

2008-02-11T22:55:00.000-06:00

I drank it. With apple juice. And a straw per Pitter Patter's suggestion in my comments.

It was easier.

But...

I'm giving up powdered spirulina for a while and I'm going to take the tablets. Six a day. It's gotta be better than the powder.

And I did another Exercise on Demand workout... A Tae Bo one.* I did it. I'm proud of me.

*So far, I haven't found any workout that is better than Turbo Jam, but I need some variety and so I'll keep scrolling through my choices. It can't hurt!

Sludge

2008-02-11T10:04:00.000-06:00

I could not face the sludge, even with *amy* telling me that it was tolerable with apple juice. I simply could not face the fifth day of gagging it down.

But I did work out! A 25 minute walk/run through my neighborhood to my favorite songs...

I'll try to drink the sludge tonight...

NOW she tells me!

2008-02-09T12:02:00.001-06:00

This is what I get for starting a program without reading the entire book first...

After I drank today's sludge, my mom called me to tell me that the author suggests taking the spirulina in capsule form if the taste is making one gag.

Maybe tomorrow... I've already had DAY 4.

Green Sludge With...

2008-02-08T17:40:00.001-06:00

So. On Day 1 of the sludge project, I mixed it with water and pom juice. NASTY.

On Day 2, I mixed it with water. NASTY.

Today, Day 3, I mixed it with orange juice. Yep. NASTY.

I am truly not sure how much more of this I can take. Three days down, 11 to go...

In Demand

2008-02-08T09:02:00.001-06:00

So. Here in these parts, our local cable provider is Time Warner. I was doing a little channel surfing yesterday afternoon and decided to see what free In Demand channels we had.

I hit the jackpot! We have the "Exercise Free on Demand" channel! It has a multitude of workout programs including, but not limited to: Carmen Electra, Billy Blanks, Biggest Loser, Girls Next Door, and on and on and on...

I chose the "Tank Top Arms" workout. 20 minutes later, my shoulders, biceps, triceps, and abs were shaking.

Love it.

Oh, and I drank the green sludge again. Two days in a row. I'm not "glowing" yet, like the author of the book says I should, but I'm not giving up. That shit is totally nasty though. Ugh.

Stop Aging and Start Living

2008-02-07T10:39:00.000-06:00

My mom and dad have been in town (just left today) and my mother brought this book with her. I glanced through it (Stop Aging, Start Living) and there was this one part that really stood out.

Basically, our bodies' ph levels are all way too acidic and that affects everything about our health (from skin to energy). She had a recipe for what she calls an "Alkanizing Cocktail" that looked interesting. My mom and I decided to commit to drinking it for two weeks.

Here goes nothing... I have re-named this drink "Green Sludge."

3 tsp powdered greens (we're using the Greens+ brand)
3 tsp powdered fiber (we're using Benefiber)
1 tsp powdered spirulina
8 ounces of water

Put it all in a little shaker, shake for 15 seconds, and drink.

Apparently, you get 10 servings of organic vegetables in one shot!

It is totally and completely disgusting, but I'm going to do this for two full weeks. They say that it is an acquired taste. I'm not sure it's one I really want to acquire, but if it will make my skin glow the way she says it will and if it will give me more energy and make me feel better, then it is worth a shot.

Last night, my mom, dad, and I each mixed up a little cocktail and chugged it. At least I didn't have to go it alone, eh?

And no, I have totally not been exercising. But I did load a workout playlist on my iPod!

Hips Don't Lie
Bad Boy for Life
Gimme More
Piece of Me
Cup of Life (La Copa de Vida)
Kryptonite
Crank Dat
Puke
Ayo Technology
There are more, but I cannot remember them off the top of my head...

Hopefully having the new playlist and the green sludge in my system will get me off my ass and out the door running...

More to come...

Eating Right, BUT...

2008-01-25T11:52:00.000-06:00

I've been eating very well lately. Lots of fruit, veggies, low-fat stuff.

I made Shrimp Scampi last night and it was delish!

But I have not been working out at all... Well, I did the 20 minute Turbo Jam workout on Tuesday.

I was barely on the wagon before I fell off!

2008-01-18T10:52:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was bad... I ate crap, cooked fattening chili, and did not exercise.

Today is already better. I will not be working out because I have a hair appointment after work and damned if I'll get all sweaty after, but at least I'll eat right.

Two Days in a Row! (Sort of)

2008-01-17T08:32:00.000-06:00

I did not do any cardio last night (no Turbo Jam) and I did not do abs... My abdominal muscles ache from the ab ripper routine still!

But I was not a total sloth, though! I worked my shoulders and biceps. That's something at least! And I cooked! Dinner! At a reasonable hour!

Does playing Wii Olympics and using a remote to "run" count as a workout? No? Damn!

Time To Party...

2008-01-16T08:15:00.000-06:00

Come on move your body...

I did Turbo Jam for the first time since November 10th last night. Cardio Party Mix 1, to be exact.

I did not finish, but I did okay and then I did the Power 90 Ab Ripper 200 workout (6 minute ab routine).

I did not stuff my face with a bunch of crap last night, either (well, nor did I stuff it with anything as I did not cook dinner and let my poor neglected husband starve).

So. Go me! I think...

Note To Self

2008-01-15T14:45:00.000-06:00

Self,

There is no such thing as low fat, low calorie Chinese Food.

Sincerely,
Me

Mind Over Matter...

2008-01-14T15:02:00.000-06:00

So. I "broke up" with my vending machine this morning...

Of course, I have this need for sugar in the afternoon...

I keep repeating to myself as I drink the large ice water that Dr Pop recommended for just such a situation, "mind over matter, mind over matter, mind over matter."

It's not working, as my rumbling tummy and slightly shaky hands will attest, but I'll be damned if I give in!

Dear Vending Machine,

2008-01-14T10:11:00.001-06:00

It's time for a break.

It is not you, it's me.

It is not your fault that your owners fill you will Butterfingers, Pop Tarts, and cookies. It is my fault that I cannot resist feeding you a dollar so that I can punch the buttons to release the sweet, calorie-loaded goodness.

So I am breaking up with you for a while.

I need to think about my health. My body is craving fruits, vegetables, and healthy whole grains and all you can offer me is fat and calories.

Maybe one day we can be friends, but that day is not today. I'm still too vulnerable.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Pop

So, uh, yeah. I'm getting in gear. The scale does not lie and this morning it told me a brutal and bitter truth. It's time to focus on my nutrition and exercise. I just got back on www.sparkpeople.com to track my calories, nutrients, and exercise.

I'm dusting off this blog to track my progress as well.

Wish me luck!

New Stuff Coming Up!

2008-01-07T12:58:00.001-06:00

New year, new resolutions, new workout and diet drama...

TurbOHMYGOD this is hard!

2007-11-10T13:52:00.000-06:00

Damn.

12 minutes of Cardio Party Mix 1 and I'm wiped! I gotta get into a regular routine again!

Back in the Saddle Again...

2007-10-18T21:22:00.000-06:00

...Out where a friend is a friend... Sorry. Got carried away with the song. :)

They say that it can take anywhere between two weeks and two months to create a good habit and I say it takes just one day to break it. As I documented very well on these pages, I started the very good habit of eating well and getting exercise back in the spring. And with one walk through the sliding doors of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport last May 25th, I broke with all the good I'd accomplished.

Here I sit in the middle of October and I'm disgusted with myself. I fully believe that it is perfectly okay to cheat on a diet. You should not deny yourself the treats you love as long as you enjoy them in moderation. I just wish I'd followed my advice more carefully and precisely. Instead, for the past almost five months, I've been more sporadic in working out and eating well than I have been in indulging my bad habits.

Until this past week. I'm far from perfect, and I have a love of eating bad things, but I worked out three days. On Friday, I got my cholesterol test back and for the first time since I'd started getting tested, I'm below 200! Well below 200 with no medication. I realize I have to keep it up and I'll admit that I didn't do so well so far today, but I'm proud of myself.

Skinny B!tch

2007-09-28T06:57:00.000-06:00

So, I've heard a lot about this book in recent weeks.

My husband even picked it up and read the intro and thought it was funny. It has been on my "must read" list for at least two weeks, too.

Last weekend, I paid a visit to my hairdresser. He had it on his counter and I picked it up and started reading. Yes, these girls are funny, witty, skinny, and make some excellent points.

Sadly, this diet will NEVER work for me for the following reasons:

It asks me to give up over the counter medicine for colds, etc.
It asks me to give up caffeine.
It asks me to give up diet drinks.
It asks me to give up all alcohol except for organic red wine.
It asks me to give up all artificial sweeteners.
It asks me to give up sugar.
It asks me to give up all meat (beef, poultry, fish, pork).
It asks me to give up eggs.
It asks me to give up dairy.
It tells me that the only places I can find what I need are over-priced markets such as Whole Foods and Sun Harvest.
It tells me I have to be a vegan to be a skinny bitch.

Sadly, this diet is unrealistic for me in so many ways. I will just have to go back to eating a balanced diet with a focus on eliminating junk food and adding more veggies, fruit, and lean protein into my diet.

Sad but True

2007-08-13T11:35:00.000-06:00

I have done very little in the way of diet and exercise from the moment I stepped on the plane to Mexico back on May 25th. I thought I had finally conquered the laziness with my single-minded determination to get into the best shape of my life. I was wrong.

So here I sit, on August 13th, and my physical activity is laughable. My diet is an artery-clogging, cholesterol-raising joke. It is too hot to exercise outside, and after more than a year of Turbo Jam, I’m just not all that excited about indoor aerobics.

But enough of beating myself up. I have been doing some good things:

I swam twice last week. Actual swimming. Not much, but it’s something.
I play the Wii. Don’t laugh. I have backup that this is actually a calorie-burning workout! See?!?!
I still eat lots of salads.
I haven’t managed to gain back the weight I lost.

So there’s a silver lining in my black cloud. The truth of the matter is that it will take minimal effort to go back to my early-summer self. So why am I still so damn lazy???

Stress Eating?

2007-07-05T13:14:00.001-06:00

Yeah, I'm a stress non-eater... Seriously. My best diet is to put a ton of pressure on me.

Right now I'm really wishing we hadn't sold our punching bag prior to moving into the house we live in now. It would be very useful at the moment.

You CAN go back!

2007-06-25T07:04:00.000-06:00

I'm getting back on the wagon, slowly but surely.

Last week, I ran/walked and went swimming.

Yesterday afternoon, I ran/walked in the HOT! HUMID! heat.

Now. If I can keep up with that and start back to eating healthy food, well I'll be all set!

24 Days And Counting...

2007-06-18T09:32:00.000-06:00

It's been 24 days since I even came close to a hint of a workout. My hiatus ends tonight. I'm sick of myself.

Time to get back into the swing of things...

2007-06-11T09:43:00.000-06:00

Okay people, it's been two and a half weeks since this body has ingested anything remotely healthy or done any physical activity over and above the normal movement from bed to shower, car to desk stuff.

I looked at my vacation pictures over the past three years and I do realize that I mistakenly thought I was in rock-hard shape last year. I definitely looked better this year. I really want to keep it up.

BUT... Here come the "buts"...

It's so HOT!
I've not been feeling well since we got back
I've been so busy
I'm exhausted
Did I mention how HOT it is?
Who has the time?
I'm sick and tired of salad and of cooking.
It's so much easier to microwave a burrito.
I've taken my bikini photos. Why bother anymore?

I'm totally boring myself with my excuses. I need some motivation, people. Something to move my bone-tired ass off the couch and out the door while listening to some good tunes on the IPod. Should I attempt to get up early and do my workout in the morning? Stop laughing, Dr Pop! ARGH!!! Maybe I should insist we go to the pool after work each day and just swim some laps. But what about laundry? And cooking dinner? What about those??? I need some help and I need some advice and I need some freaking motivation!!!

What are y'all doing?

Countdown? To What?

2007-06-05T12:15:00.000-06:00

Even though summer won't officially begin for a few more days, for me the season officially begins around Memorial Day Weekend.

Now that the "countdown to summer" is at an end, and I completely revised my eating and exercising habits up until the plane to Mexico took off, I'm in need of something else to work towards.

I didn't exercise at all on vacation (unless you count the numerous strolls in town I did, or the half mile sprint through the airport on Saturday in order to just miss a flight) and I ate a lot of BAD but YUMMY stuff six times a day. I guess my new goal is to go back to my healthy self. Sigh!

Three more months of swimsuits...

Goals

2007-05-16T14:24:00.000-06:00

So. Everyone who reads this (all three of you) knows my goals...

1) Make healthier food choices
2) Exercise regularly
3) Get bikini-ready in time for my trip (in 9 days...)

And guess what? I'm doing it! I slip up from time to time, but I have really been making a solid effort to eat right (no McDonald's, pizza, junk) and exercise 3 to 4 times per week.

While my butt and abs could still see some improvement, I'm so happy with myself and the results I've been seeing. And every time I feel lacking in motivation, something pops up to get me right back on track.

Keeping up with things on here has been a tremendous help! This is a lifestyle change for me. And I think it may be working. :)

Seriously. Why?

2007-05-14T15:31:00.000-06:00

Two f-ing pop tarts at 4 PM. That would be 400 calories. And I ate them both in under 2 minutes.

ARGH!!! I have 10 days left!

Did You Know?

2007-05-07T11:05:00.000-06:00

Alcohol makes you retain water?

As does PMS?

And foods high in sodium?

Yeah. I'm de-toxing from the weekend right now. I had to get my system in shape for the massive amount of indulgence that will be occurring in less than three weeks! ;-)

Wagons

2007-05-03T13:20:00.000-06:00

I've fallen off the wagon...

I've gotten back on the wagon...

I've been half on and half off the wagon... Like today for instance when I was healthy up until the "Dragon Spicy Beef with Egg Drop Soup and Eggroll" at the Chinese place by the tanning salon.

I've drug the wagon down to the park with child in tow a couple of times, too. But that was literally.

22 days from this exact moment in time, we will be on the beach. My body still isn't quite ready.

So tonight, and for the next 21 nights, I'm going to be super strict and regimented. Salads! Running! Weights! Dips! Lunges! DVD's!

And I'm NOT going to indulge in today's proffered snack of apple pie and strawberry shortcake. Nuh-uh. Nope. Not me!!!

Are you out there?

2007-04-24T17:40:00.000-06:00

My first week of seriously stepping it up went pretty well. I got in a solid aerobic workout as well as a 30--40 minute jog/walk Monday-Thursday. I got on the eliptical machine on Friday night and did an hour. It was so crazy fun to do something different. I was so crazy sore the next day. I didn't do anything the next day as a result. Or on Sunday... I lost a couple pounds and finally officially dropped that pants size I've been working on. I should be pleased but I'm being hard on myself and being pissy that it isn't happening quicker. Monday found me back on the eliptical do-hickey for another hour. I am not so sore today. I hope to get another round done tonight as well as at least a short Turbo Jam workout. I'm still banging it out. You?

Setbacks

2007-04-19T07:23:00.000-06:00

As I predicted, the family visit has been hell on my plan...

No workout for me Tuesday or Wednesday. Also, while I've been able to eat very well during the day, at dinner I go a little crazy. Last night we had Mexican food. Chips, queso, tacos, refried beans. The works! I ate too much.

My only saving grace over the past two days has been the fact that I've done some cleaning and laundry, and I've walked around more at work. That is good.

Oh, and last night, I did an upper body strength workout. Not too hard, mind you, but it was something at least!

One month, five days until I'm on the beach!!!

Trudging.

2007-04-17T12:39:00.000-06:00

Is that a word? Trudging? Am I spelling it correctly? Either way, it suits me just fine. I'm trudging along. I finally got a good grip on the new pace of the new Turbo. I decided this week to add some running into my everyday workout too. Hopefully it'll push me over the hump or rut or whatever I'm in. Also a plus, when running, I don't have to see the young girl with the swan body on Fatblaster. It's funny, I've been doing the original workouts for so long, I'm all "Who are these people? Where are my friends?". Thank goodness for Mindy is all I can say. She's still there doing her easier workout, same as always. And when I say run, I really mean jog. A slow jog.

I'm trying to burn off as much as I can between yesterday and when we go to Disney (on the 28th). Then I'll take a break (fortunately you never gain weight at Disney for all the walking) and go hardcore again for another two weeks. I think this'll be good. I'll let you know how I do.

Oh and in case you're interested, my new favorite song to work out to is Suga Mama by Beyonce.

And with a single-minded determination...

2007-04-17T08:31:00.000-06:00

I have turned working out into a habit. Hooray!

Now, I just have to find the time and inclination to work out while my parents are here. It's so easy to fall into the trap of eating all the time and sitting on the couch when they are around. I will just have to force the issue. I have one month and one week until I leave for my trip. I plan to be cut. up. before then.

And I'm on a new calorie-counting kick. I am not sure if this is a good thing or not, though, because I am becoming slightly obsessed with tracking every molecule of food. Hmmm...

Working out at home...

2007-04-11T07:42:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a rough day...

I got home from work.

I relaxed a bit.

I changed and put in "Punch, Kick, and Jam."

I made it through the warm up and a couple of punching sets.

"Mommy!"

I stop working out and spend some time with my family.

Little Pop goes and watches a movie.

I put in "Fat Blaster."

"Mommy!"

I stop working out.

I go play with egg-shaped chalk out on the back porch. I drew rainbows.

I decide to at least get an ab workout in.

I put in "Ab Ripper 200."

I make it through 85 of the 200 reps.

"Bootyhead..."

I stop (partially because I cannot speak and also do crunches at the same time, partially because I couldn't possibly do another rep).

I did spend about half an hour stretching, though. That must count for something, right?

At least I ate well*

*If you don't count the fact that I finished Little Pop's ABC's and 123's with meatballs... It was only a few bites!!!

I'm Back.

2007-04-10T23:01:00.000-06:00

(Ha. I posted this on the artsy blog I belong to on accident. Oops. They probably think I'm crazy talking about work-outs and sneakers on the craftyfunstuffblog. Oh well. Maybe I deleted it before anyone saw it.)

Well I made it through a long weekend vacation without gaining weight. So that's good. Now that I'm back I started working out again. I tried out my new FatBlaster today. It was strange but fun. Hopefully I'll "get it" more next time.

A question for you: What kind of sneakers do you wear? I have literally worn my old shoes out. I bought new ones just like the old ones but they make my feet hurt sooo badly. I actually had to take them off half-way through my work out today. So I'm in the market for new ones and I'm unsure what to get. After watching the silly "In Da House" tour of Chalene's house and seeing all her Nikes maybe I'll just get those.

I hope I can stay on track here. I really need to step it up and KEEP it up. Throw some inspiration my way.

Switching Gears

2007-04-09T08:33:00.000-06:00

Last week, I didn't work out very much. I think I went a little nuts the week before and needed the recovery time. I did about two days of cardio, a little bit of abs, and some tricep dips.

Does house cleaning count as exercise? I worked up a sweat and used muscles, so I hope so. If it does, then I got three days of cardio. :)

Yesterday afternoon, after I woke up from a nap and inhaled a donut, I decided to run. I did a warm up walk, then ran 1/2 a mile, walked 1/2 a mile, ran 1/2 a mile, and walked another 1/2 mile. It took about 25 minutes in all. I then did the free gift ab video that came with my original TJ purchase. It was a six minute ab workout that is a killer. You do 20 reps of 10 different crunches. Today, my legs feel so weary that I'm rethinking the workout I'm getting from TJ. Either it's not doing it anymore for me, or I'M not doing enough. I'm thinking I'm the problem.

I have a month and a half to lose my belly and gain some arm muscle. I'm focused. I'm driven. And the bitch that I hate, who is my motivation, is looking pretty fat. I love it!!!

Fake Boobs...

2007-04-05T12:04:00.000-06:00

Emily,
I've heard that the fake ones do not move like real ones, so you're probably right. As a girl with small-ish and droopy ones, I still feel the movement on some portions of the cardio unless I am wearing an ace-bandage-type jog bra.

Ellen

"Not so good Chalene"

2007-03-31T07:42:00.000-06:00

That's what I usually say when she asks "How're you doin'?". I've been trying to find a new swimsuit the past couple days. We're taking a trip in a while and I need one. Last year I struggled with my old one all summer long and this year I just can't do it again. It has no support, it's two sizes too big. I just can't. While it should make me feel good that I don't fit in it anymore, it means I have to shop for a new one. I have to have an underwire bra in it (remember what I said about big boobs) and it's really hard to find them. There were 8 swimsuits at Nordstrom that had them. 6 of those were one pieces (which I can't wear because I am oddly shaped). And the other 2 were horrible. Same situation at Dillards. I did buy one at Dillards but when I brought it home My Man said "It's cute. It's not like...Super Cute. But it's ok." And I don't want to feel like that's what he's thinking. So anyway. I've continued working out. I did the 20 Minute Cardio and Ab Jam yesterday. Oh, and I don't really mean "not so good" when she asks. In general I really like these workouts. They're fun and not entirely annoying.

Hey a quick question...you guys said her boobs are fake, right? Is that why they don't move? Do fake boobs not move? The other girls are either small chested or they're chests bounce when jumping around. But hers don't. I was just curious.

Calorie Counter

2007-03-30T11:01:00.000-06:00

Pitter Patterson told me about www.sparkpeople.com as a place to track calories and exercise, etc. I have to say that I was skeptical at first. I was doing South Beach. I didn't need it.

Well, I registered. Just as I created a spreadsheet to track monthly spending and find patterns in it, I need to track what I ingest and look for patterns. Yesterday, for example, I consumed 3000 calories. Actually, that is a low estimate. It makes me slightly ill to think about, but half of those calories came from the "healthy" choice I made for lunch... Chinese food with BROWN rice instead of white. Ugh!

You know something, though? It would be wrong to 100% cut oneself off from all food favorites. It's the perceived deprivation that leads to downfall on any plan to improve your health and fitness. My problem yesterday was not that I ate a 1500 calorie lunch, but rather I came home and ate Cheetos, Taquitos, and handfulls of Golden Grahams instead of something a little better for me for dinner. No vegetables entered my system at all yesterday.

Come to think of it, the "Breakfast of Champions" was probably a better choice for breakfast than the one I made for lunch.

On the exercise front, I'm not necessarily seeing results from my 6-day all-out blitz, but I'm also not seeing the results of my aforementioned lunch, either. Must be a correllation there somewhere. What I am noticing in myself, though, is that I am starting to look forward to the workout. I'm looking forward to rolling my eyes as Chalene asks me if I'm having a good time. And when I'm done, I want to do more. And I feel so much more relaxed afterwards.

Overdoing It.

2007-03-29T19:06:00.000-06:00

I have worked out for at least an hour a day since Saturday.

I really should have taken today off. But I didn't. I did Turbo Sculpt instead.

I'm tired.

Dear Ab Jam:

2007-03-28T17:50:00.000-06:00

I. Hate. You.

I've been having trouble with cardio since I got the flu. This happened last winter too. I went to the doctor (last winter) and she said I have asthma and gave me medicine. I took it, the problem cleared up and I stopped taking it. Yes, I know that's not what you're supposed to do. However, I've been doing cardio since then and haven't had a problem until I got sick again last week. Now I can't jump around for more than 15 minutes without having a coughing fit.

So I did 15 minutes of my good ol' CardioJam. Then I did the Ab Jam and thankfully, no coughing. Just pain. I'm good usually until about the third "walk your hands up and snake back". Then I'm ok until the "sit up and lean back, lift your legs and pulse right, center, left etc". Those things kill me. But! I can do them all. So that's good.

So...do you guys recommend getting the 2nd or 3rd sets of TJ? I'm weighing it still. I still think I should make myself do more of this stuff before I buy more. I just get bored with the same old routines...maybe I'll pull out the old Windsor Pilates DVDs.

Suggestions? Advice? Motivation to get my big ass moving?

Breakfast of Champions...

2007-03-28T08:07:00.000-06:00

It actually sounds really good, but honestly, I cannot imagine consuming the amount of calories that are involved...

At the checkout at my work cafeteria...

Two women
Each with a large Coke
Each with a bottle of full fat chocolate milk
Each with a bowl of Cocoa Puffs

I am a sucker for sweet stuff, chocolate milk, chocolate cake, cookies, donuts, you name it. And I do not believe in denying myself as that only leads to me eating an entire pie in one sitting (not that that's ever happened). But I know several things that are guaranteed for those two women today...

1) They will have a ton of energy for a very short amount of time
2) They will crash and crash hard
3) They believe that the cereal and milk choice (as opposed to bacon and eggs) makes them "healthy"
4) They will probably over eat the rest of the day because they were so "good" for breakfast

Yes. I'm judgmental. Didn't you know that?

Four in a Row...

2007-03-27T18:31:00.000-06:00

Fat Blaster and 3T. I'll feel this one in the morning.

59 workout days left until I go to Mexico... Maybe I should do a Cardio Party soon...

I feel like I'm not doing enough...

Working Through the Soreness

2007-03-26T17:54:00.000-06:00

Today was the second day after I did strength and boy, did I ever feel it! I was planning on doing strength again today, but since I gorged on Chinese food, I decided that I needed to burn calories so I did Fat Blaster and Ab Jam.

I'm still sore. But I really want to do strength. But it's time for Prison Break. You see where my priorities lie?

Back in the Saddle Again...

2007-03-25T12:41:00.000-06:00

At least on the exercise front...

Yesterday, I did the 3T strength workout (32 minutes) and the 20 minute cardio workout.

Today, I did Punch, Kick, and Jam... It's around 50 minutes long, 42 minutes of cardio and 8 and a half minutes of tubing/strength. I didn't do the strength stuff because I'd just done it yesterday, and I wussed out of about 5 minutes-worth of the workout, so I did about 37 minutes.

Ms. Patterson, you could totally do the Punch, Kick, and Jam if you can do the Fat Blaster. Just FYI...

Last week, I bought one of the Carmen Electra Aerobic Striptease DVDs at Wal-Mart. It was a waste of my money. It is SO slow!!! It's created for people who have never, not once, ever even looked at a workout before. Bo-ring!

Oh, and I'm eating like a pig. I've effectively undone the good that South Beach did in a matter of two days. Literally.

So, What's Been Happening?

2007-03-21T17:23:00.000-06:00

#1, I'd like to see some entries on Janna and Pitter Patterson's pages. ;-)

#2, I'm so far off my diet, it is pathetic. I will get back on and I will start working out again. On the bright side, my illness made me drop a couple of pounds. :-)

#3, Emily, are you feeling better?

Welcome Janna!

2007-03-20T14:47:00.000-06:00

Welcome to motivation central, Janna! I look forward to reading your blog, too! You need to start posting stuff. :)

I've been out of pocket for the past couple of days and my workout/diet program has suffered... I did really good at the lake on Sunday, barely cheating (only with whole grain bread and a little chex mix, while those around me snacked on chips and fattening stuff). Then we got home and no dinner was made.

Yesterday and today, I've been down with a bug so no working out, and no diet. Basically, if I could keep it down, I was eating it. I think that tomorrow, I'll be back on track.

Two Days Off

2007-03-17T19:14:00.000-06:00

So the last time I did the South Beach Diet, I cheated every day. And I cheated with bad things... Chips, Hostess cup cakes, chocolate cake, well, you get the idea.

This time, while I haven't been 100% faithful to the plan, I've done much better. The majority of my cheating has been via alcohol (pom martinis, wine) and a little too much fat and maybe a bite or two of dried cranberries and bagel chips. But I am very serious about the eating plan and the philosophy of the plan, so even my cheating has been sparse and wracked me with guilt.

What has been my salvation this time around has been the exercise, namely Turbo Jam. I took Thursday and Friday off, so today I really got into it. I completed Fat Blaster!!! It just about killed me. Then I did about 15 minutes of 3T, stopping only so my husband could record Cops (then I never started back).

I have to say, I am very proud of myself. I'm almost smug with it. I know the smugness will be my downfall, however, so I'm trying to temper it with issues of Shape magazine. ;-)

And on Thursday, I was bad...

2007-03-16T06:37:00.000-06:00

On Wednesday, I cheated on my diet. I cheated with three martinis. Three Pomegranate and Pineapple martinis. But at least I worked out.

Yesterday, I didn't cheat on the diet really, except for a bottle of red wine (oops!), but I didn't work out at all. I now have a wine hangover.

Eating Out.

2007-03-14T22:41:00.000-06:00

Another day, another gripe. We met The Man for lunch today at a local restaurant called Wingers. They do all kinds of chicken and burgers, their specialty being wings. Eating out kills me because I love to go out and I never follow the rules. I don't ask them to half my portion, I eat bread, sometimes I even go for dessert. I did ok though today, I think. I got a turkey blt sandwich. I know bacon isn't great and neither is the mayo, but it's waaaay better than a fried chicken sandwich or even the salad with chicken on top. But even though I made a (fairly) good choice, I feel horrible about it. I tend to get to the point when I'm dieting when I feel bad about eating at all. Which is sort of not a good place to be... Did I mention I ate fries too. I did.

Anyhow, I worked out tonight. I did the 20 Minute Cardio and the whole Turbo Sculpt. I've been using 5 lb weights. What are you using? Am I chumping out here? I don't think I can pull off 10, maybe could try 6 or 7 lbs.

Even though I exercised for more than an hour, I still feel crappy because of the big lunch. I should've done the Ab Jam too. Something tells me I won't be thinking that in the morning though.

Maximum Results

2007-03-14T17:41:00.000-06:00

I just did the 3T (Totally Tubular Turbo) and I loved it! It's a shorter (30 min) version of Turbo Sculpt, but it is a little bit higher intensity. You can use either the resistance band or hand weights or no weights at all.

I then did 10 minutes of Fat Blaster. VERY good. I'm just a wimp. It's an interval workout with a higher intensity warm up than on the first group of Turbo workouts and then four intervals of low intensity/high intensity aerobic training. I can't wait to make it through the whole 30 minutes.

I'm still a big fan of my old standbys, though... Turbo Sculpt, Cardio Party Mix 1, and Ab Jam. For a diverse, complete workout, these three cannot be beat.

I Think I May Have Cheated...

2007-03-14T11:31:00.000-06:00

Today, my group brought in barbecue. Mmmm! I thought I was being so virtuous, forgoing the cole slaw (my favorite!) and pickles and sauce. I had chicken (I pulled the skin off), lean brisket, and pinto beans. I didn't eat the cookies. That's a HUGE thing for me. But somehow, I feel like I did bad. Maybe because there was no salad. I don't know. South Beach is HARD to do, y'all!

Just means I'll have to work out that much harder this evening. Bleh. I'm planning on trying T3 (Totally Tubular Turbo) tonight. It's the one with the resistance band and weights. I should do cardio, but I need some muscle definition and haven't focused on weight training at all yet.

No work out!

2007-03-13T21:19:00.000-06:00

I didn't work out today. It's a combination of cramps and major soreness after two days of the Ab Jam. I'll get back on it tomorrow. I did eat well, so at least I did that right.

I'm down another pound. Not ideal weight loss for a week, but I ate pretty much awful crap all week long. Better than nothing.

Dear G*D, I'm out of shape!

2007-03-13T16:57:00.000-06:00

Turbo Jam Maximum Results came today. I think I may have been a bit too big for my britches with this one...

I made it through fifteen minutes (fif-teen. 1. 5.) of Cardio Party Mix 3 before collapsing. I couldn't even do the other side of the first punch and kick series. It may have had something to do with the weighted gloves, but seriously, I thought I was going to die!

I then tried to do Ab Jam. 5 minutes. That's it.

At least I haven't cheated on South Beach. Yet. That's saying something. Usually by Day 2, I've already eaten a twin pack of Hostess cup cakes. ;-)

To the back, baby doll!

2007-03-13T08:36:00.000-06:00

I'm here. Thanks very much Ellen for letting me play. I did end up fitting in a Cardio Jam last night after the kids went to bed. And again, I hated it until the last 15 minutes or so. I think it's a combination of being a bit bored with the same old routine, it still being a hard work out, and me generally feeling crappy. I try to work out during the day because first thing in the morning, I'm entirely useless and after the kids go to bed I turn into a zombie. Oh well. I see now why they make several different workouts.

There's a point about half way through when I always start talking back to the t.v. Chalene says "Hey, Ho" and I echo her. She asks "How're you doin?" and I say "Not so good, Chalene." Like I'm insane. My kids asked me "What does 'to the back baby doll' mean?".

Whatever gets me through the workout, right?

Welcome Emily!

2007-03-13T07:08:00.000-06:00

Thanks for joining the team. See your name to the left? Cool, huh? ;-)

If any other bloggers would like to join the "need to work out" team, send an email to mrspop007 at gmail dot com.

I promise I'll check it!

Ouch!

2007-03-12T08:37:00.000-06:00

I. Am. Sore.

Saturday was spent planting and pulling weeds, although I didn't do much of the pulling of the weeds.

On Sunday, I cleaned house for two hours, then took the little one on a wagon ride to the park. We ran around for a while, then it started raining. Dr Pop came and picked us up, but I chose to run/walk home in the rain. I then did the "standing abs" portion of Ab Jam.

I. Am. Sore. Today.

On another note, Dr Pop and I are going to do South Beach phase 1. Well, a modified version of it. We're going to cut out bad carbs, and eat lots of lean protein and greens. But we'll still enjoy our alcohol. ;-) It's 9:42AM and so far, so good for me. Not sure what Dr Pop had for breakfast, though.

Turbo Jam

2007-03-09T11:02:00.000-06:00

I received notification that my Turbo Jam Maximum Results is on the way complete with resistance band and weighted gloves... :)

I've been walking to the park and back with my son for the past two days and running around the park. On Wednesday, I did the standing abs portion of Ab Jam, too. Today my obliques are still sore.

This evening, I won't be able to work out because I have a hair appointment. My last thought before falling asleep last night was that if I happen to wake up before my alarm, I will get out of bed and do Turbo Sculpt. Yeah. That didn't happen.

Tomorrow is Turbo Sculpt and a long walk/run for me.

Motivation

2007-03-08T09:35:00.000-06:00

I've seen several posts around about lack of motivation... So tell me, what inspires you to make healthy food choices and work out?

Is it an upcoming vacation?
Do blogs like this help?
Seeing other people who look good?
Seeing other people who look bad?
A spouse?
What?

For me, it's all of the above. One of my guilty pleasure TV shows is The Girls Next Door and seeing Holly and Kendra (not Bridget, because, well, frankly, Hef could do better) make me realize that I have work to do. And seeing people in real life whose bodies are better than mine, especially if they are people that I absolutely cannot stand (I'm shallow, sue me), fuels my determination to step away from the cookies. Getting a release from the frustrations in life (petty and major) is a pretty major motivation factor for me. Lately, I've been extremely stressed out and I see a direct link between the stress and not finding an appropriate release for it all. Also, having a husband on my ass to make better choices helps... Sometimes... I work better on positive reinforcement, so when I get it, I am encouraged to do more. And keeping a journal on it helps, too.

So what inspires you? And if you'd like to be a part of this and track your progress online with me, post a comment and I'll make you part of "Team NeedToWorkOut". :)

What is this?

2007-03-08T07:30:00.000-06:00

*This* is a self-motivation tool.

*This* is a place to be held accountable.

*This* is a place for lists.

*This* is where I plan to track my progress toward getting beach/summer-ready.