Week 14: NO SWEETS FOR A WEEK



My Favorite Ice Cream

Since yesterday was a holiday, I didn't start my week until today. I burned 700 calories on the elliptical this morning so I am off to a good start.

I have noticed that my sweet tooth has been sabatoging my weight loss efforts - or weight maintanence efforts. So starting today and going through Sunday - no sweets. That means no chocolate (unless it is one granola bar or a chocolate covered strawberry) and no ice ceam or candy bars!

Wish me luck! I won't be counting calories this week - so we'll see how this change affects me! If you have a bothersome sweet tooth - try this extra challenge with me!

Happy Memorial Day!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day! It was hot and sunny here - beautiful day!

I was planning on starting week 14 off with a morning workout, but the gym's daycare wasn't open so I didn't go. So my week 14 starts tomorrow (still ending Sunday). Start the challenge with me. And if you did workout today, count your calorie burn in this week!

Oh and if I didn't mention it yesterday, I burned 500 calories yesterday and made it past 3500 calories! And my husband just informed me that I have made it an entire quarter of a year of burning 3500 calories each week! How exciting!

Knowing When to Take it Easy

Last week and the week before I was being really good about performing my lower body toning exercises every other day when I went to the gym. I was also fitting my physical therapy ab exercises in at the gym as well. Then,  last weekend my knees started bothering me (stepping for a hour didn't help). I noticed during one of my ab exercises where I have to stretch out one leg at a time my knee would sort of pop. Then I noticed the same thing happening for the first few minutes on the elliptical.

NO GOOD!

I didn't want to hurt my knee again and not be able to workout.

So here is what I did:
Stopped the Ab Exercise that aggravated my knee (but continued the other ab exercises).
Took this last week off from Lower Body Toning exercises (will start up again tomorrow and see how it goes)
Took it easy on the elliptical (usually about 63rpm, stayed around 59rpm) rotations per minute.
And not attempting using the step!


My knee is feeling a bit better - definitely not popping anymore! I have been wearing heels more often with the warm weather - which isn't helping. But I am trying to find a happy medium! If you feel an injury is flaring up, don't try to push through it with your usual workout routine. Modify your routine so you can get a good workout in safely!

Baby Fun, Pizza, and a New Swimsuit

For the first time since I started this blog, I didn't write a new post yesterday. My day was busy - in the really good way. Nora and I went to the gym and then got ready for the day & brought Subway to Chris's work to have lunch with him. It was so much fun! Nora ended up being passed around the conference room that Chris reserved for us. Once Chris's co-ops & employees heard his baby girl was visiting work for the first time they all had to come meet her! I loved it! On our drive back home Nora fell asleep and I had struggled trying to get her to take a morning nap (didn't happen) so I didn't want to disturb her. I parked the car in the driveway and left the doors open and cleaned out our garage! It was great to sweep out all the dirt and rearrange everything. I love reorganizing stuff!!!!!!

After that, Chris was home, Nora woke up, and it was dinner, bath, and bedtime. Due to no groceries in the house we ordered pizza - totally delicious and totally ruining my calorie counting efforts!

I had ordered a new swimsuit last week. I have never had a swimsuit that fit me well! And I decided I have had enough - no more trying on swimsuits at department stores, trendy stores, ordering from Victoria Secret and never being satisfied. Actually, satisfied would be great - I would feel horrible - why isn't my body fitting into anything!!!! UGH!

So I googled "BRA SIZED SWIM WEAR! And sure enough there is such a thing! The website I found is Bare Necessities! I got it today and it fits perfectly! I am never going back to purchasing swimsuits labeled XS, S, M, L, XL!

While the pizza set me back by a pound, I am counting calories today and hoping to be back on track by the end of the weekend. I did workout yesterday (burned 700 calories) and today (burned 500 calories)! I have 250 calories left to burn tomorrow!!!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Hydration Plan

Well, I am not going to get to the gym today, but I did get to the gym yesterday - and burned 700 calories. That means I have 1450 calories remaining.

I have had some bad headaches in the recent days. I am starting to think it is dehydration related. Since I am not working out today, I am going to focus on my water intake. My water bottle holds 3 cups at a time. I want to get at least 6 cups of water in today - 3 before lunch and 3 before dinner!

Workout Delay

While I am usually able to get up and out to the gym first thing in the morning, today was not one of those days. Headache, low energy...not good for a workout.

I am feeling a bit better since eating breakfast. So I might still get a workout in later today! I am hoping so!

Do you ever have days where you don't feel well enough to workout? What do you do?

I still have 2150 calories to burn this week, so anything I can do will better help me reach my goal!

The Power of Counting Calories

Yesterday morning I weighed 115.8 pounds. That is good, but I would like to be more around 114. I've also probably been eating more than I should. So I decided to count my calories yesterday. It helped a lot and I learned a few things after looking over my day's food selections.

Food Journal Entry:
Oatmeal with 1/8 cup Walnuts: 260 calories
3 Light String Cheese: 150 calories
Lean Cuisine: 350 calories
3 Dark Chocolate Squares: 180 calories
3 Slices of Frozen Pizza: 500 calories
Handful of Baby Carrots and some Dip: 50 calories (guess)
1 Weight Watchers Ice Cream Bar: 100 calories



I ended up eating 1590 calories. I wasn't being strict on myself, but I also stopped myself from snacking when I probably wanted to. I also burned 700 calories yesterday, which helped!

I also learned I need to get more fruit in my diet!

The end result: I weighed myself this morning: 115.2 pounds. I know there is normal weight fluctuation, but either way, the scale went in the right direction for me! Hoping to keep this up a bit longer!

Have you ever kept a food journal before? Did you find it helpful?

Burned 650 calories on the elliptical today, how about you?

Knee Problems, Stretch & Ice

Last night I worked out using my box step, since I didn't get to the gym. It was a good workout and I liked using the step again. Unfortunately, I woke up this morning with a swollen knee and extremely tight calves! I forget to stretch my calf muscles last night after stepping for over an hour!

So I stretched my calves using the step and then iced my right swollen knee for a few minutes. It definitely helped. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to go to the gym because my knee felt out of sorts, but the ice seemed to fix that and reduced the swelling.

I was able to workout on the elliptical for 60 minutes and burn 700 calories! That is a good start to the week. I also stretched my calves extra long (along with my hamstring and quadriceps stretch) and then did my ab exercises. Good workout today! My calves are still really tight, so I think I am going to have to stretch a few more times throughout the day.

Are you struggling with an injury? What are you doing to help keep yourself active?

Here's My Game Plan

Well, now it is 4pm and I still have to burn 400 calories to make my goal. I am determined to make my goal. I don't want to let week 12 be the week I don't get 3500 calories burned!

After going to FitWatch.com I calculated that 63 minutes of step aerobics would burn 403 calories. That is the most efficient route for me to burn calories at home (without the elliptical). So here I go! I won't be able to step for 63 minutes straight. I will probably do 20 minute segments at a time. I'll let you know later how it turns out!!!!

Did you workout today? When you workout, do you usually do one long workout or multiple short workouts?

Make It a Family Event!

I had 700 calories remaining to burn as of this morning, so I knew I needed to get to the gym. My husband usually doesn't make it to the gym during the week, so he looks forward to getting a good workout in over the weekend. With that in mind, we jumped out of bed this morning, got Nora ready for the day, and got to the gym first thing in the morning!

Chris and I were able to workout together on the ellipticals. I love working out as a family! I know Nora's not old enough to actually "workout" with us, but she comes to the gym with us! And I think it will be so much fun when Nora gets bigger and can workout with me and Chris. Not only will we be spending some great time together, but we will also be instilling her with a healthy lifestyle and a love for being active!

Try including your kids in your workouts! Maybe you workout while they are in school during the day, but then include them on the weekend. Or, just get active with them. Take your kids to a park and play soccer or whatever your family enjoys doing that gets your heart rate up! Make it a family event! It's good for bonding with your kids and introducing them to a healthy lifestyle that they can take with them as they grow up.

Burned 300 calories, did my lower body toning exercises and ab exercises! 400 calories left to burn tomorrow! What does your workout look like today?

Took The Day Off

Nora woke up extra early this morning, which left me with little energy to go to the gym. So I decided to take the  day off to rest and relax. Back to the gym tomorrow! I have 700 calories left to burn!

Get Back into the Swing of Things

Do you ever have a day where you feel like you don't have the energy to accomplish what you planned? Or maybe you don't have the energy to be diligent with your goals? Today was one of those days for me.

I did get to the gym and worked out, but it was a struggle (700 calories burned). My lack of diligence has been with my diet - I have been craving ice cream in the evenings and I can tell it isn't doing me any good. I avoided the scale all week, but today I decided I had to weigh myself and face the truth. It wasn't horrible, but I am going in the wrong direction. Knowing the truth, I was hoping that would motivate me to eat right....

Well, that didn't happen. Stress took over and I finished my ice cream for lunch. At least its gone now...right? Fortunately, it looked nice outside and I decided to take Nora for a walk - maybe it would make me feel better.

Luckily, it did. We walked and walked and finally came across a park in our neighborhood that had baby swings. I had never tried to put Nora in one, but thought I would try now. And oh my goodness - she LOVED it! She was having a blast. And just like that - BEST DAY EVER!

It's amazing how small things like that can turn your day around. Now I have the energy to try and fulfill the rest of my goals for the day. I still need to get a second set of ab exercises in and drink 3 out of 5 of cups of water today! I'm still going to try to get my goals accomplished!

Are you behind on getting your workout in for the day? There is still time, hop on the treadmill, bike, take a walk outside, or do jumping jacks in your living room! Even just 10 minutes will help you towards your goal and make you feel a whole bunch better. I know walking outside in the sunshine helped me (and the smile on my baby girl's face)!

700 calories left to burn!

Improving and Still Trying

My top 4 fitness/health goals are burning 3500 calories each week, performing my 4 lower body toning exercises 3 days/week to help strengthen my knees, performing my physical therapy AB exercises every day to close the split in my abdominal wall from being pregnant, and drinking 5 cups of water each day (hoping to get up to 8 eventually).

I have been successful at my 3500 calorie goal for 11 (going on 12) weeks now! Getting to the gym and on the elliptical is part of my day now and I am addicted to it! I can tell that burning 3500 calories every week is helping  me maintain my weight loss, even allowing me to splurge more than I should. If I didn't have a sweet tooth maybe I would be at my ideal weight....another challenge for me in the future..???

Performing my lower body toning exercises has been on and off. I need it to be simple. If I have to perform a ton of different exercises, using a bunch of different equipment I am never going to do it. So I simplified my workout - simple is better than nothing, right! Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday after my cardio I do these exercises: Hip Adduction & Hip Abduction (Inner/Outer Thigh), Hamstring Curl, and Leg Press! For the past week I have been good about performing these exercises.

While I have gotten my leg exercises into my gym routine, I have been struggling to make my AB exercises a priority. I have 8 exercises that totals about 15 minutes of time and I have to do these exercises twice a day. After my first physical therapy session I did my exercises spot on for a week straight (it took me a few days before I did this). After my second physical therapy session I performed the exercises maybe once a day if I was lucky. That was last week. Finally, yesterday I made more of an effort and got both sets in by the end of the night. Today I fit 6 of the 8 exercises into my gym routine and I have to complete the other 2 now and another set this evening!

As for the water. I got 4 1/2 cups in yesterday - better than the day before, but not meeting my goal. So today is going to be the day I finally get 5 cups in! I hope!

Do you have multiple fitness/health goals? Are you struggling to manage them all into your daily routine? It can be tough. Taking it one day at time and picking 1 goal to really focus on until you've got it down helps. Then add another goal....

Burned 700 calories. 1400 calories left to burn!

Trying Again

Have you ever wanted to accomplish something...you try and try, but you end up falling short of your goal over and over. Maybe you want to perform a handstand, or maybe be diligent about working out and eating right. 

For me, I've got my cardio workout down, but I am struggling to get my water and ab exercises in during the rest of my day. I have to come up with a better system to stay on track. So I am trying again!

Yesterday I ended up drinking 4 cups of water (instead of 5). I have a water bottle that holds 3 cups. I finished 3 at the gym and refilled it. I should have been keeping that water bottle with me around the house, but I didn't. When I got up this morning there were 2 cups worth of water still in the bottle! If only I had been keeping track, I probably would have at least downed a cup of water before going to bed!

I also never took the time to do my ab exercises from physical therapy. I am suppose to perform about 8 exercises 2x/day. I never stopped and did one set. So today I am going to try to stop and make sure I fit it in. It's important to me!

What are you going to try to fit into your day? If it's important to you, you'll find a way. It's like the saying - Where there is a will, There is a way...right?!

Week 12: Making it a Good Start

I love Mondays! It is a chance to start the week off right. Got my regular routine going this morning with my morning workout at the gym. 700 calories burned in 63 minutes on the elliptical. Then I did my lower body toning exercises. I drank 3 cups of water during my workout and my goal is to get at least 5 cups in today!

Next, my super healthy breakfast - Steel Cut Oatmeal. Then my AB exercises from physical therapy and playing with my baby girl. Nora didn't want to take a morning nap so we're watching Clifford the Big Red Dog and playing with her activity table. I'm wondering if she's going to change to 1 nap a day instead of 2.....

What's your workout game plan for the rest of the day?

Dragging me to the Gym

Dragging you along

I didn't have the motivation to go to the gym today. I didn't really have the motivation to do much at all. When I get stressed out about something I usually end up on the couch watching horrible television (since we have no cable and it is Sunday). But my husband wanted to go to the gym and workout, thankfully. So he got me out of the house when I didn't have the motivation to do it myself. I was hoping once I got on my elliptical I would have a lot of energy.

No such luck. I got on the elliptical and went in slow motion for a while with my arms floating at my sides. Usually, I am one of the annoying upbeat go go go types swinging my arms like I'm running (instead of using the arm things). Not today, I was just moving along. Luckily one of the TV stations had a Kate Hudson movie on that I was able to zone into. I lasted about 50 minutes and 515 calories burned!

Sometimes you need someone to push you along. Do you ever feel that way? Do you have someone to push you when you are lacking your own motivation?

I met my calorie burn on Friday so today was a bonus. Week 12 starts tomorrow!

Liliana's Restaurant

Last night Chris and I went out for a date night. We decided to go to Liliana's Restaurant. It's a New Orlean's style restaurant and very nice. Chris works with the owner's dad too, which makes going there fun since we know we are supporting their family's business. If I remember correctly, the inspiration for the restaurant came from the owner's parents meeting in New Orleans. And the restaurant is named after the owner's daughter, Liliana. I think that is pretty cool.

We had been to Liliana's once before and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to be going there again. The menu is very different than most restaurant's I've been too. Most of the entrées are seafood based and I don't eat seafood. Last time we were there I had the Black Angus Filet and loved it; Chris had the pasta Liliana and loved it as well. While we thoroughly enjoyed our selection last time, we were both interested in trying something different this go around.

I ended up ordering the Vegetable Wellington (pictured above).This is a golden puff pastry filled with grilled vegetables and montrachet and drizzled with chimmichurri. Chris ordered the Jambalaya. Before coming to that decision I of course had to ask the waitress multiple times what some of the ingredients were in the menu - so many things I have never heard of before. The waitress said she really liked the Vegetable Wellington, so I decided to order it, and I am very happy I did. I loved it, maybe even more than the steak! Chris really liked the Jambalaya too. 

Overall, it was fun to go someplace a little different and get exceptional service and food. If you live in the Madison WI area or are visiting and looking for a new place to try I would definitely recommend Liliana's!

I didn't workout today. It has been a nice relaxing day with the gloomy weather outside.

I met my calorie goal yesterday, but I have to get my ab exercises in and drink 5 cups of water yet today! Did you workout today?

Improving Hydration

I am really bad about drinking enough water each day. I probably only drink about 3 cups of water. I know I should be drinking 8 cups every day, but I find it very challenging. Looking back, I have had a history of dehydration that should have prompted me to be better about my drinking habits.

When warm weather hits, I usually find myself low on energy, getting tired more easily, and feeling lightheaded very often. And when I was pregnant I was severely dehydrated, ending up on an IV at urgent care on Christmas Day! For months during my pregnancy my doctors didn't seem too concerned about my hydration since I wasn't vomiting. I am guessing they were assuming, due to my nutrition background, that I was drinking plenty of water (but I wasn't). Finally when my symptoms during pregnancy got worse the doctor demanded I be drinking 8 cups of water! UGH! I didn't know how I was going to do it. And throughout the rest of my pregnancy I never got to 8 cups - usually 6 on a good day.

After the pregnancy I really pushed myself and got myself to drink 8 cups of water. I really had to focus though. If I got distracted I would lose my focus and forget to drink water continuously through the day. Over time I have slipped back into my old ways.

When I started this challenge I was going to drink 8 cups of water along with burning 3500 calories each day. I succeeded for about a week with the water, but then got focused on other more interesting things.

Now that the warm weather is upon us I am going to try to drink more water. I think aiming for 8 cups right now is going to be too hard for me, so I am going to aim for 5 and then work my way up towards 8 slowly! Wish me good luck!

Do you stay well hydrated? What helps you drink more water throughout the day?

Maybe you drink 8 cups of water each day, but you aren't burning 3500 calories each day. Maybe the strategy I am using to get my water intake up, you can use to get your calorie burn up!

Spent 65 minutes on the elliptical again. 700 calories burned! I met my 3500 calorie goal! Still planning on working out during the weekend!

Successful Smoothie

Yesterday I decided to make my own homemade smoothie. I had tried Yoplait's smoothie mix a few months ago and I found out I liked Banana Strawberry Smoothies! But I wanted to see if I could make a healthier, more organic, less sugary version. I sliced a banana and cut 2/3 cup of strawberries in halves and put them in a freezer bag. Then I took plain Greek yogurt and divided it into an ice cube tray (once frozen I used 8 cubes). I blended the three frozen ingredients along with 3/4 cup of organic skim milk.  It tasted a little bitter so I added maybe a tsp of organic sugar, but it didn't change the bitterness. I didn't want to add more sugar so I drank it as it was. I really liked it, but it did have a bit of a bitter taste or after taste to it. We are thinking it's the Greek yogurt we are tasting....

What do you think? Any suggestions on how to make the smoothie more sweet without packing it with sugar? Do you think going with a flavored Greek yogurt would make a difference?

Spent about 65 minutes on the elliptical machine. Burned 700 calories! 700 calories left to go! Have you worked out yet today?

Spending Time Outside

It is such a beautiful day out in Madison, WI! Summer is my favorite season of the year - the sun, the hot days, the warm evenings, being poolside, and outdoor activities! It is all so much fun and I am so excited it is finally here!

Spending time outside naturally helps us upgrade our life. Being outside you will probably be walking or running around the yard or playground, or maybe gardening! Being outside naturally gets you active without trying! Even if you prefer to spend your summer days relaxing in the sun, you are still getting refresh air and not vegging out in front of the TV! So not only do the outdoors help us to become more active, it also helps us regulate our snacking tendencies!

Speaking of snacking: The other great thing about summer are the fresh fruits and veggies. I don't know about you, but when summer hits I have my house full of watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, etc. I find myself snacking on low calorie nutrient packed foods, instead of higher calorie granola bars and cookies! Love it!

Since we are blessed to have such a beautiful day here, I am hoping to get out and go on a nice walk with my baby girl! I hope the weather stays nice (I hear rain is in the forecast).

Went to the gym this morning. I am starting to like staying on the elliptical for a full hour! 680 calories burned! 1400 calories remaining! I also did my lower body toning exercises to help strengthen my knees! What was your workout like today?

What's your favorite part of summer? What's your favorite summer activity?

When Motivation Kicks In...

My house is very rarely a disaster. It is also rarely spotless clean - with 2 cats there is kitty hair everywhere. I have been wanting to clean up, straighten up, vacuum, the usual; but I have been lacking the energy and motivation for the past week or so. Don't you hate that feeling! Finally, last night I reached my breaking point; I knew I was going to have to get my house back to the way I like it (and my husband had no ironed clothes for work). So after we got Nora to bed we were both on a mission. I vacuumed, dusted, etc; and he ironed!

Sometimes we don't  have the motivation to work hard to accomplish the things we want until we get to a breaking point. It was the same way with losing my baby weight after being pregnant. It took until Nora was 5 months old until I felt a true desire to work at getting my body back.

Have you experienced the same breaking point with your fitness goals? Or are you still waiting to get there? I have found through my own experience and through personal training, that you will never accomplish the goal you want to achieve until you are ready to dedicate yourself to it. So if you aren't ready, it's OK. But when you do get that burst of motivation, work hard and stay positive, knowing that each day is a new day you can work towards your goal!

Today I spent about 65 minutes on the elliptical machine and burned 710 calories. 2080 calories remaining for the week. I struggled for the first 30 minutes on the elliptical. I zoned into a segment on the Today Show or GMA and felt like time had flown by, but when I looked at the monitor I had only been working out for 12 minutes! UGH! I hate that! But I pushed myself to stay strong and to keep going - I WANTED TO GET TO MY 710 CALORIES AGAIN! I was motivated to reach that goal and I made sure I was going to get there.

Have you gotten to the gym yet today? What is your game plan for your workout? Whatever it is, stick with it and make it happen! You'll feel great once you accomplish that goal!

Week 11: Fit For Life

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I saw this clip on the Today show. US Representative Aaron Schock has teamed up with Men's Health and Women's Health Magazines to bring you the Fit For Life Summer Challenge. The Fit for Life Summer Challenge website has great workout ideas and an eating plan you can follow to help you towards your goal. 

Here is a link to the website: 

http://www.menshealth.com/fit-for-summer-challenge/

Whether you are interested in joining the Fit for Life Summer Challenge or not,  the resources on the website can help you with your own personal workouts or the 3500 Challenge!

Along with Aaron's interview on the Today show, they also have a great article: 5 ways to stick to your workout. Click on the link below to get to this article: 

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42936158/ns/today-today_health/t/tips-make-fitness-last-lifetime/

I think the Fit for Life Summer Challenge is great! The 3500 Challenge and Fit for Life, together can help you reach your fitness and health goals! 

Today I worked out on the elliptical - my favorite piece of fitness equipment! 710 calories burned! I also did my lower body toning exercises - leg press, hamstring curl, hip adduction and abduction! What did you do today for your workout routine?

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I am so excited for my first Mother's Day! Nora and I have our Mother's Day dresses on and I made Red Velvet Cupcakes for the first time.

The first time I had red velvet cake was in the hospital after having Nora. My mom brought us red velvet cake to celebrate! It was the most delicious thing I had ever eaten. Maybe the pain meds and the fact that I couldn't eat during labor all day made the cake taste even better than it normally would, but ever since, I have been in love with red velvet cake! I hope my cupcakes turn out half as good!

Besides having red velvet cupcakes on Mother's Day, we are bound to have a bunch of delicious food at my parent's house too! Calories here I come! I didn't workout this morning since I was busy baking and getting ready for the day - so my calorie intake will probably be higher than my calorie burn for the day.

It will be OK though. I will get back to my workout routine and normal healthy eating tomorrow. I'll get right back on track and my weight will balance back to normal. While I am OK with not working out today, there is a part of me that misses it and feels like I need it. Do you ever feel that way when you don't workout? It's a good feeling to have. It gives you the motivation you need to get back on track. If you don't have that burning desire to get back to the gym, force yourself to get there each day and eventually you will want to go. The 3500 challenge forced me to go and now I want to go - for myself and for the challenge. If you are lacking motivation, join the challenge with me tomorrow: Week 11!

As you know, I burned 3500 calories by the end of Friday, so I don't have any calories to report today! Excited for a new week tomorrow! Enjoy the beautiful weather on this beautiful Mother's Day! Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there! 

March For Babies

What a great morning! It was March For Babies in Madison, WI!

The morning started off a bit rocky. We got up bit later than usual. Then Nora had gunk in her right eye and we were getting worried about a blocked tear duct causing an infection. So we called the doctor's office and talked to a nurse. Luckily, the nurse and doctor seemed to think she was fine and they would see her at her 9 month appointment soon. Once that was out of the way, we got packed up and in the car. We were running a bit later than I wanted so I was a little antsy.

Sure enough, we got there with plenty of time. They had free bagels, powder donuts, and water before the walk for people to enjoy. Then the walk started. There were so many people - really cool. We walked from the Monona Terrace, around the Capitol, down State Street, through Library Mall. Then you could turn around if you wanted to walk 2 miles. Or, you could continue down the Lake Shore Path, turn to walk up Observatory Drive, and work your way back to State Street, finishing where we started, doubling your distance.

I was a beautiful morning and a nice comfortable walking pace so we decided to go for the full 4 miles! We made it! Nora fell asleep in her stroller for the first half and then enjoyed the sites and sounds of downtown Madison for the second half of the walk. We had so much fun!

I definitely want to continue participating in the March For Babies walk in the coming years. I may even start a 3500challenge.blogspot.com TEAM! 

Hope you all have a fantastic rest of the day. I already got my 3500 calories in during the week so I don't need to count my calories burned again till Monday! 

Did you participate in the March For Babies too? Did you do something else to get some exercise - what did you do?

Successful Grocery Shopping and More....

Nora and I went grocery shopping yesterday and I was pretty excited because Hy Vee had everything in the Health Mart 10% off - I stocked up on my favorites: Back to Nature Organic Mac & Cheese, Back to Nature Chocolate Chip Cookies,and Bob's Red Mill Steel Cut Oats!

Before I go grocery shopping I always make a list so I'm not wandering the isles wondering what looks good. It helps me get everything I need and avoid getting too many of the things I don't need. I usually plan to get my usuals: string cheese, bread, peanut butter, milk, etc. And then I plan on at least 2 recipes I want to make over the next week and get all the ingredients I need. Chili and Stromboli this week! I also got lots of fruit: cantaloupe, watermelon, bananas, and strawberries.

When I got home from the grocery store I got every thing unpacked and started chopping up the fruit. I got some really cute containers from Target yesterday so I was excited to get the watermelon and cantaloupe cut up and in the containers right away. It's great having fresh fruit ready to eat in the refrigerator. Then, when you are looking for something quick to snack on you've got something healthy ready to go.

I cut up the strawberries and a few bananas and divided them into 3 freezer bags. I also got Greek yogurt and divided it up in an ice cube tray. When my cantaloupe and watermelon are gone, I can make Strawberry Banana Smoothies!

After I did all that I got dinner started. To be completely honest - I am not a cook and usually we don't sit down to a nice meal very often. And when we do, my husband usually does the cooking - such a good husband! Every once in a while I would make a nice well rounded meal, but I usually batch make things and we just reheat and eat - which is nice for when we are busy! But tonight I made whole wheat spaghetti with pasta sauce, steamed broccoli (bird's eye steamfresh), watermelon, and garlic bread sticks. I finished it off with a little red wine - Shiraz - my favorite! And the great thing is - It was all on the table ready for my husband when he came home! I felt like such a wonderful wife!

We sat at the table eating dinner as a family, feeding Nora her baby food while we ate! It was awesome. I definitely want to do this more often. Probably not pasta, garlic bread sticks, and wine all the time since we know there are a lot of calories there. But a family dinner, at the table, with all the food groups would be a wonderful dinner routine!

Do you make a list when you grocery shopping? Are you the cook in the family? Do you usually have family dinners or dinners on the go?

Burned 900 calories on the elliptical! I reached my goal for the week - now I can relax and enjoy my weekend - March for Babies and my first Mother's Day! How many calories did you burn in your workout today?

Kristi Yamaguchi's New Workout

Short post today. Here's a a new workout DVD you might be interested in if you like working out at home!

Kristi was on the today show the other day promoting her new workout DVD. I watched a clip from it on Amazon.com - it looks good. If you are looking to get a good workout in at home, check out this workout video! I'll be back to post my workout for the day! What is your exercise routine going to look like today?

Your Questions Answered

I received an email from a reader the other day who had a few questions for me I think everyone would benefit hearing the answers to. I love getting questions! If you ever have a question please comment or send me a message!

Question: I'm looking for new ways to lose weight, tone up, & eat healthier without being bored with what I am eating. I'm a picky eater, so it doesn't help matters much. I would like to tone my abs and arms the most. Are there exercises I should lean towards doing or stay away from? Heavy or light weights? Are there any shakes/pills that help increase weight loss? I don't like going to that method, but I'm just curious as to what is out there :) Thank you for any help you can give me!!

Weight Loss Answer: Great questions! When It comes to weight loss I am old fashioned. I work hard at obtaining my goals through working out hard and consistently & counting calories honestly. This is a challenging process that takes a lot of dedication, but if you really want the results, you will make it work. 

When it comes to counting calories: Don't consume less than 1,200 calories/day (women) 1,500 calories/day (men). Your body needs those calories for your daily routine. Experiment yourself to figure out how many calories you can consume that allows you to lose the healthy 1-2 lbs/week. For me it is about 1,300 calories. To make calorie counting easy try: make the same breakfast every morning, have a lean cuisine for lunch or dinner, figure out the calories/serving of your 2 favorite recipes, and make use of searching calories on your favorite restaurant foods like Panera, Subway, etc. This will also help you make healthier food choices!

When it comes to working out hard, focus on getting a good calorie burn through cardio exercises: walking, running, biking, elliptical, etc. Join the 3500 calorie challenge to motivate you to get those calories burned each week.

Together, calorie counting and cardio bring weight loss success. You won't always have to calorie count. I recommend calorie counting while trying to reach your goal, then you can ease up on the counting by being more conscientious of what you're eating, and go back to calorie counting whenever you slip up and need to get back on track. Keep up on the cardio workout on an ongoing basis - its good for your heart!

Toning Arms & Abs Answer: As far as toning your arms and abs, there are no exercises I can specifically suggest since I don't know your specific exercise background. I would say you want to find a biceps, triceps, and shoulder exercise you like to tone your arms. And find a Rectus Abdominus exercise (such as a crunch), a Transverse Abdominus exercise (such as a plank), and an Oblique exercise (such as a standing side crunches) to fully tone your stomach muscles. I have found personally that performing toning exercises 3 days/week brings results faster.  I usually lean towards a weight/resistance that fatigues me in 2 sets of 15 repetitions. While these are a few ideas along with what I have found works well for me, you will want to figure out what works best for you.

Shakes and Pills Answer: I have never used a shake to lose weight. I honestly don't know much about these. I am pretty sure they are usually meant to be used as meal replacements, but I would probably find myself having a shake and still wanting food - defeating the whole purpose since I would be consuming more calories than recommended. And based on quickly going to the Slim Fast website, their total weight loss plan is created on consuming about 1,200 calories. This is going to pretty much guarantee weight loss because the calorie intake is low. So whether you want to try a shake or not, it's up to you, just know that the weight loss is due to consuming less calories than you are burning (which is what I am recommending above).

I would stay away from pills. They can be extremely dangerous. I don't believe they are regulated much at all and can have serious side effects. While taking a pill sounds like a great easy way to lose weight, it's not worth the risk.

I hope these answers are helpful. It's great to hear from people who are reading the blog. Feel free to send me more questions via comments or sending me a message!

685 calories burned on the elliptical! 1600 calories to go! What did you accomplish today?

Having a Regular Schedule Helps

Today I am back to my regular schedule and it feels so good! My morning routine is back with getting to the gym, getting Nora down for a nap, making oatmeal, doing my physical therapy abdominal exercises, creating my blog post, and getting ready for the day! Love it! Do you have a regular routine?

I find that routines help you be healthier. It is part of my routine to have oatmeal for breakfast. If this wasn't my routine I would come home from the gym hungry looking for something tasty - probably granola bars! Instead, I just stick with my routine and I don't have to think about what sounds good in the moment.

The same goes for my morning workout. I just get up and get out the door. I just know that is how my morning is going to go and it works great for me. I don't wake up and think about whether I feel like going to the gym or not.

I don't know about you, but I feel great when I follow my morning routine. I feel like I accomplished what I needed and wanted to do and I feel really good about it. My afternoons can sometimes get a bit crazy and I get distracted from being as healthy as I want to be. At least I can reset in the morning and try again!

Burned 715 calories on the elliptical and did my leg exercises. Now off to complete my AB exercises! What are you doing today for physical fitness?

Week 10: There Are Always Excuses

Well, it has been a busy day so far. Usually get my morning workout in first thing in the morning, but today we were up and out the door running errands! I am finally caught up with my day now (kind of). There is always so much to get done! And usually we never make time for the things we want to do - what a shame! We usually don't make time to workout either. We have errands to run, work to do, cleaning to do, ironing, laundry, kid's soccer practice, dinner to make, and the list goes on. Add - I just don't feel like working out today - and we never make it to the gym.

I almost had a day like that. I almost didn't go to the gym, but this challenge inspires me to make it a priority and I love it! So I got my 500 calories burned for the day and now I get to enjoy the rest of my day with my family!

Join this challenge with me and make exercise a bigger priority in your life!

I MADE IT!

Short post today! 

My day started off pretty slow, but I made it to the gym this afternoon and burned the remaining 855 calories!

Week 10 starts tomorrow! Start the challenge with me!

And don't forget about March for Babies this upcoming Saturday in Madison, WI! The link for Meriter's team is below: 

http://www.marchforbabies.org/s_team_page.asp?seid=1439949