21 Day Weight Loss Challange ~ Journal Day 19 #21mbc

I really can not believe that it is already day 19 in this challenge.  It really is going a lot faster than I had anticipated. I feel like I am doing well with the challenge.  I'm more aware of what I am eating, trying my best to drink water in place of other drinks & making time for myself every day.  DUSTIN MAHER has provided myself and other mommy bloggers this mommy blogger challenge. as well as his book   Fit Mom's for Life.   What I like best about Dustin's book is that its not all about changing your entire life in one day, but helping to ease you into a healthier lifestyle. 


I am however feeling guilty that I haven't been keeping up with the blog.  But with this GORGEOUS weather that we have been having I must admit that sitting in front of the computer was not a priority.  I have been keeping active as well, playing with the kids outdoors & getting in my workouts.  

 Disclosure:  I am participating in a challenge sponsored by Dustin Maher www.dustinmaherfitness.com.  I also received a complementary copy of Dustin's book  Fit Mom's for Life.

Again, please be sure to become a follower of this blog as well as the other blogs who are participating in this challenge.  You can follow them by clicking on the links below. 

Mamavation Monday: How to keep Active

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Mamavation.

One blogging carnival participant will receive $25 VISA gift card.

 How do you keep yourself active, when you really don’t feel like working out ?

Well it seems as if we just jumped straight from winter right into summer around here & let me tell you that I LOVE this weather.  But with the warm weather comes the lack of wanting to workout.  I just want to stay outdoors all day with the kids, and yes I am active during that time.  It may be hanging wash out on the line, playing tag or soccer with my girls, or taking them on a nature walk down one of the trails that we have around our area.  I try my best to keep active the entire time, but as we all know kids seem to have an abundance of energy & us mommies can get worn out rather fast.  

However, I am not as easily motivated if the weather isn't as nice, such as rainy days.  I try my best to not become a couch potato on those days & let me tell you that is not always easy.  One of the things the kids like that we do if it is a rainy day we build forts & go "camping" in the living room.  Other wise I try to stay active on rainy days by doing the housework & helping the kids make crafts, which generally causes me to have to re-clean the house again.

“This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

21 Day Weight Loss Challange ~ Journal Day 13 #21mbc

The weather is getting so beautiful out that I have really had to force myself to focus on eating healthy & getting in workouts.  All I want to do is hangout outdoors with the kids!  I was even able to get the spring cleaning started. However, on a health standpoint I don't feel very strong or healthy yet this week.  I feel that I eat a lot better since I started with this journey, but I almost feel weaker.  I don't know why that is.  I'm also finding that I am getting bored with my workouts.  I need to find a way to stay interested, and not get distracted with the items & task that I have to deal with the rest of the day.

I've been following the advice from  DUSTIN MAHER to help me with the .mommy blogger challenge.

Again, I did not write down all the times for the food that I ate today, but I ate oatmeal, strawberries, salad, &  PB&J on whole Grain bread.  I also got in 9 cups of water, as well as 20 Minutes of exercise.

Point Total:92

Again, please be sure to become a follower of this blog as well as the other blogs who are participating in this challenge.  You can follow them by clicking on the links below. 

21 Day Weight Loss Challange ~ Journal Day 11 #21mbc

Today was an absolutely beautiful day.  The sun was shining & the air was warm.  Spring is definitely almost here.  Where was I though?  I was at a toy show literally all day long. I did try to plan ahead & pack some snacks....unfortunately my ice pack did not keep to how warm it got in the car; which resulted in spoiled yogurt.   Also, the kids were hungry & they ate more of the snack mix that I packed than I had planned for.  But, I did learn a valuable lesson for next weekend.  This is our busy season for my husbands business.  We are constantly setting up at swap meets and toy shows on the weekends which leads to quick packed lunches and snacks.  Or eating the food that is provided.

Today also marks another important day.  It is the half way point in this challenge.  DUSTIN MAHER has provided myself and other mommy bloggers this .mommy blogger challenge.  I am extremely grateful for all the valuable lessons that I am learning.  Everyday I try to take a few minutes and review some of the important & inspirational messages that were found in the complementary copy of Dustin's book  Fit Mom's for Life.  

FOOD JOURNAL

As I mentioned my food intake was not good.  So I didn't write down all the food that I consumed.

EXERCISE  

Zip, zero, zilch, nadda. 

Points: 22 

  

 Disclosure:  I am participating in a challenge sponsored by Dustin Maher www.dustinmaherfitness.com.  I also received a complementary copy of Dustin's book  Fit Mom's for Life.

Again, please be sure to become a follower of this blog as well as the other blogs who are participating in this challenge.  You can follow them by clicking on the links below. 

21 Day Weight Loss Challange ~ Journal Day 10 #21mbc Week 1 DONE

What a crazy long week it has been.  I actually feel guilty that I haven't blogged my meals or exercise that I did for the past two days, but I can't change the past I can only make today & the future count.  So here is what I have been up to the past 2 days.

On Thursday my food intake was good but I didn't get in a lick of exercise so point total =76

On Friday I again had a GREAT food day & I was able to get in a kick but workout which included the following.
~ ran 2.0 mi (total time 30 min)
~ total body strength training with free weights: 15 # preacher curl 
                                                                              15# bent rows
                                                                              15# shoulder press
                                                                              10# chest fly
                                                                              10# lateral raise
                                                                              10# triceps extension
                                                                              LEGS

                                                                                                    Leg Press ( 130#s)

                                                                                                    Hip Adduction (145#s)

                                                                                                    Hip Abduction (130#s)

                                                                                                    Leg Curl (70#s)

                                                                                                    Leg Extension (70#s)

This was a 3 sets of 10 reps workout

Friday Point Total: 90 points (I had to subtract points because I went out for some drinks that night)

So for today (Saturday/Day10) I as well think that I did really well for my food & exercise routine.  I had to work again but unlike last week I planned ahead.

FOOD JOURNAL

6:30~wake up, 8 oz water

7:00~ 16 oz black coffee, 1 cup cheerios, 1 apple

9:30~  16 oz water, 1 rice cake

10:30~ 8 oz water, 1 piece string cheese (fat free)

11:00-5:00~ WORK 16 oz green tea, 32 oz water

2:00~ 1 large salad ( 1 1/2 c spinach, 1 mandarin orange, 2 large strawberries, green pepper, red pepper, tomato, dried cherries, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, 1 T blue cheese, scant amount of Italian dressing)

6:30~ 12 oz water, 1 1/2 c left over stir fry from earlier in the week

7:00~ 20 oz water, exercise

8:30~ 1/2 c ricotta cheese, 1/8 c granola, 2 T dried cherries

EXERCISE

7:00 p.m.~ 45 min Zumba

Point total for Saturday: 95

   

Again, please be sure to become a follower of this blog as well as the other blogs who are participating in this challenge.  You can follow them by clicking on the links below. 

Disclosure:  I am participating in a challenge sponsored by Dustin Maher www.dustinmaherfitness.com.  I also received a complementary copy of Dustin's book  Fit Mom's for Life.

 

                                                                               

21 Day Weight Loss Challange ~ Journal Day 7 #21mbc Week 1 DONE

Well week 1 is officially done & I have 2 weeks to go, and I am proud to say I really think it went well.  I am learning so much from visiting DUSTIN MAHER  when I visit his web site.  Such as with his post from March 5 (An Inspirational Story) He asked two important questions that really hit home.   What is something that you have told yourself you can’t do?  Well, I used to tell myself that I could never run a mile.  But I have since conquered that.  I will never forget how proud I was when I ran my first mile.  What in your life do you desire to do at a greater level then you are doing now?  I really want to be a better mom than I am now.  I want to be the mom that not just my kids but also their friends want to hang out with and be able to talk about everything & anything with.  By losing these extra pounds I know that it will help give me the energy & confidence to become that person.

As for today I am very proud to say that I tasted some YUMMY recipes that were given courtesy to me but also all the other mommy bloggers who are part of the challenge.  If you would like to learn more about the challenge that I am doing please visit....mommy blogger challenge.

Food Journal

6:30 am ~ 16 oz water

7:00 am ~ smoothie (I followed the recipe from the 21 Day Saving Dinner recipe book courtesy of DUSTIN MAHER)

10:00 am ~ 16 oz water, 1 slice low fat string cheese

12:00 pm ~ 16 oz water, 1 c chicken noodle soup

3:30 pm ~ 16 oz water, Fiber One Brownie

6:00 pm ~ 16 oz water, 1 Honey Marinated Pork Chop (I followed the recipe from the 21 Day Saving Dinner recipe book courtesy of DUSTIN MAHER) , 1 cup roasted red potatoes, 2 cups green beans

7:30 pm ~ exercise

9:30 pm~ 16 oz 1/2 cup fat free ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup dried cherries, 1/4 cup granola

Exercise

Today I focused on abs.

10 min ab roller

 5 min crunches 

10 min hula hoop (wii)

20 min Pilates DVD (Mari Winsor)

I also did the fit test that  DUSTIN MAHER encourages all his clients to do on the first day of their challenge.  I missed doing it the first day so I thought it would be appropriate to have it done for tonight.  I will re-test myself at the end of week 2 here is what I learned from the fit test....

Hold a plank for 40 seconds with out shaking & keeping proper form

do 4 push ups...the real kind, not the sissy girly kind with proper form

8 burpees in 90 seconds (I despise these)

wall sit for 120 seconds without shaking & keeping proper form

I can also run a mile no rest in 13 min 35 seconds

According to Dustin I am  average for doing the Forward plank as well as the wall sits with no weights.  I am Below average for push ups and I have the biggest need for improvement regarding my mile run as well as the burpees

Point Total Today: 84

END OF WEEK POINT TOTAL: 563 

Thur (3/1)= 79

Fri (3/2) = 91

Sat (3/3) = 74

Sun (3/4)=68

Mon (3/5)=78

Tue (3/6)=89

Wed (3/7) = 84

There were a total of 805 points possible.  Reflecting back at the week I lost points by not getting my total water in per day, Not doing strength training daily, not getting 6+ hrs sleep at night, as well as not visiting the DUSTIN MAHER web site daily.  However I did receive all the points possible for eating my veggies so that is a huge improvement.  

Tonight I am going to be combing over my journal & find out how I can gain more if not all the points possible in the weeks to come. 

 

Again, please be sure to become a follower of this blog as well as the other blogs who are participating in this challenge.  You can follow them by clicking on the links below. 

Disclosure:  I am participating in a challenge sponsored by Dustin Maher www.dustinmaherfitness.com.  I also received a complementary copy of Dustin's book  Fit Mom's for Life.

21 Day Weight Loss Challange ~ Journal Day 6 #21mbc

Today has been another good day here in my household.  I only ate the food that I had planned out & if I did start to feel slightly hungry I grabbed a handful of almonds & a cup of water.  I also kept myself busy all day long & didn't sit down until now.  It may be too soon to say for sure, but I think that even the kids are noticing a difference in me.  The kids both wanted to play their Just Dance kids game on the Wii, they were shocked that I too joined in the dance moves.  Andrea my oldest thought I was nuts at first but by the end of the game she was smiling ear to ear.  Alexis my youngest is such a great motivator as well.  When I was trying to get some of my strength training in this evening she thought she would make a game out of it & I had to see how many bench press's I could do with her before dropping her on the couch.  Needless to say I think we will all sleep well tonight.

FOOD JOURNAL

Well I have to admit I accidentally tossed my paper with the times that I ate the following items, so you won't see the times listed.  Thankfully however I remember all the food eaten.

~   64 oz water

~ 3/4 Frosted Mini Wheat

~1/8 raisins

~1 C low fat cottage cheese

~ large salad ( I did not have time to measure the items out today, but it was a large bowl with lettuce, spinach, sweet pepper, raisins, dates, tomatoes, chicken, Italian dressing)

~ 2 handfuls almonds

~ 1 cup left over chicken soup, 2 c left over steamed veggies from earlier in the week

~16 oz 1% milk

Exercise

Today I focused on working out my arms for strength training. Bench pressing my kids, swinging them on my arms (arm curls)   I also played with the kids while they danced to their Just Dance game for at least 35 minutes.

 Disclosure:  I am participating in a challenge sponsored by Dustin Maher www.dustinmaherfitness.com.  I also received a complementary copy of Dustin's book  Fit Mom's for Life.

21 Day Weight Loss Challange ~ Journal Day 5 #21mbc

I can honestly say that today I can start to feel the difference in my energy level since starting this challenge.  Usually on Monday's I am dragging from the weekend & I am cranky.  But today I honestly feel like I was in a good mood all day, I had a ton of energy, and even my kids told me that today was the BEST day ever. Although I think that having some of their favorite friends come over to go sledding & play in the snow may have helped. 

But I am proud of myself for everything that I did & ate today. I don't think that there is anything that I would have changed.  Today I was asked via Mamavation,

what my favorite way to workout was to get my heart pumping.  See my answer here Mamavation Monday.  Thankfully my answer was also part of my workout today.

Food/ Exercise Journal....

6:30 am~ wake up/ 16 oz water

7:30 am~ Breakfast: 2 c oatmeal with dried dates, 8 oz black coffee

9-10:30 am~ work (today I taught a balls of fun class which included a lot of running, dancing, & teaching 3&4 yr olds play t-ball) 24 oz water & banana

11:30 am~ Lunch:  4 mini chicken meatballs, 1 c steamed veggies, 1 yogurt, 8 oz water

2:00 pm~ Snack: 8 oz green tea, 1 fiber one bar

2:30 pm-5:30pm ~ played with kids outdoors

6:30 pm~ Dinner: 1 Large salad ( 2c spinach, 1/2 c mixed greens, 2T unsalted sunflower seeds, 1T currants, 1 T dried raisins, 2 T light italian dressing) 1 1/2 cup chicken dumpling soup (see below for recipe) 16 oz water

830 pm~ Exercise

9:30 pm~ 16 oz water, med apple

Exercise Data...

45 min Jillain Michaels wii game 

M's Chicken Dumpling Soup (yeilds 12 servings)

- 2 pound chicken breast diced

-4 cups low sodium chicken broth

-3 cups water

- 4 carrots

-4 celery stalks

-1 large onion

-1 T olive oil

-1 tsp salt

-2 tsp pepper

-1 T dried parsley

-2 T poultry seasoning

-1 tsp garlic powder

1) in large stock pot place olive oil saute onion in oil.  Add chicken breast & brown

2) add liquids chicken

3) add remaining diced vegetables & spices simmer low for 1 hour or until chicken is fully cooked

4) bring mixture to boil & make dumplings

dumplings

-6 egg whites 

-1 c low fat cottage cheese

- 2 c flour

- 2 tsp pepper

1) beat egg whites & cottage cheese until well blended

2) stir in flour & pepper

3) drop by tablespoon into boiling soup.  cover & simmer 15 minutes or until toothpick inserted into dumpling comes out clean. 

 

Once you have enjoyed this recipe please be sure to check out the other mommy bloggers who are participating in this challenge.  Also, remember to become a follower of this blog as well as the others.  

 Disclosure:  I am participating in a challenge sponsored by Dustin Maher www.dustinmaherfitness.com.  I also received a complementary copy of Dustin's book  Fit Mom's for Life.

#Mamavation Monday-What is your favorite workout to get the heart pumping?

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Mamavation.

One blogging carnival participant will receive $25 VISA gift card. To be eligible answer the following blogging carnival question in your weekly Mamavation blog post and link back to Mamavation site by clicking here.

What is your favorite workout to get the heart pumping?

My favorite at home workout to get the heart pumping is my Jillian Michaels Wii game.

 

When I pop this game into my wii counsel I am sure to work up a sweat.  I usually do a cross fit type of workout that works both the upper & lower body at the same time. The high intensity workouts are perfect for my hectic schedule that revolves around me on a daily basis.  In fact I plan on doing this workout in just a few short minutes.  

If its a day that I can go to the gym I really love spin class.  Again, its a high intensity class, but you are your own enemy in that class.  There really is no way to monitor how hard you worked compared to the person on the bike next to you.  With that in mind I always am convincing my self to try harder, increase the "hill" that I am on & to spin faster.  By the time I am done with the 45 min class I am sore and tired yet exillareated, because I know that I worked beyond my comfort zone.  

This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.