How I did this season

Hey guys! Well, the season is over, and here's my update...

I did pretty good on my goals, especially since I didn't work out most of the Christmas season due to my injured hip. I still feel pretty good though! I even worked out 4 times one week!

That never happens

I lost some percentages around my waist and neck, my hips stayed the same (they haven't changed at all this season or last) and I gained .2lbs

My BMI stayed the same though.

Is that still how we're determining the winner? If so, how has your BMI changed?

This season was way fun, even though it went by really quickly.

Here's to next season being even better! 

Are We Done Already?

At the beginning of this season I made some goals for to accomplish by the time we were done with this 'season'... things didn't go exactly how I had planned. I tried but honestly I didn't do very well on all of my goals. I didn't do a single pull up (oops!) and wasn't as good about bringing my lunches to work as I should have been. These were my goals-

1. Be able to do 10 pull ups (I can only do one and a half right now...)
2. Make healthy lunches during the week (instead of skipping or eating out)
3. Lose 5 lbs
4. See more muscle definition
5. Workout at least 3 times a week

Here are the things I did manage to do, I lost 4.5 pounds (Pretty close to my 5lb goal), I didn't always workout 3 times a week but I did a pretty go job of it and I definitely see more muscle definition! So I wasn't too far off my goals, I think the holidays had a role in me not always giving it my all but I still feel pretty good about my progress. I ended up losing about a half inch around my thighs and waist, my hips stayed the same though, which leads me to believe that I am getting close to the ideal weight for my body type! So that is exciting! Now I get to work on toning up further and continuing to push myself :)

The End..........

Like Chantel said, where did the time go? Holidays sure made this time go faster and i my case not as successful. Dang all of that time off and al of those goodies!

All in all though, It was a fun experence. I tried toexercises I did not think I could do but I can and I loved it. Yes Amber, that means I will do the 45 min one again!

Overall I lost 3 lbs. But I lost 2 inches in my waist and hips! I can tell too because I can slip my pants on and off without having to unbutton most of the time. I also lost 1/2 inch in my arms.

Until next time!

Where did the 3 months go...?

Maybe it's the holidays, but it does not feel like 3 months have gone by already!

I don't feel like I posted enough, or worked out enough...

Time sure does fly! 

Or is it just me?

This last week I rocked it, I worked out 4 times 

(played raquetball twice, did yoga with you guys, and did pilates on my own) 

As for the me time, I set some time aside to read. Which I love. 

It wasn't anything extra special, but I needed it. 

Since I'm going to class, making jewelry, working full time and tons of other stuff, there are days when I feel like I have no time.

And I've missed reading.

So I got out my new e-reader that I got for Christmas (it's awesome!) and I've been reading Sherlock Holmes. It's wonderful. I've always enjoyed observing friendships like that of Doctor Watson and Sherlock Holmes in shows like Psych, House, Monk and Nero Wolfe, to name a few, and now I'm reading where it all originated and it'd very enjoyable!

Since this is the last week, I was hoping to finish strong 

So far I haven't skipped any meals, and I've worked out once.

The reason I'm unsure of how strongly I'll finish is because Monday night our dinner gave Michael and I a mild dose of food poisoning and then we woke up with cold like symptoms... not fun.

But I am still planning on working out at least once more!

It's been a good three months guys!

How did you do?

Last Week!

Ohh my what a week! Amber had us do a CRAZY workout this week. I relented at first, then gave in. And don't tell her but......it was not that bad. I would even do it again..........It was this one. Check it out!


Also, I just found this awesome blog. Chantel you will love it. Check it out, look around, could you do it?

http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/ (sorry you can't click it....I don't have my instructions on this computer!)

Our Last Week

This 'season' has been more difficult than out last round because of the holidays but I have still enjoyed myself but I think I could have worked harder.

My week-

The physical challenge was to do at least 2 workouts this week -

I did it, all of us normally get together on Monday to workout but we had to reschedule to Thursday, so that was one workout. I also worked out one other day, I tried a new workout DVD but got half way through and was super bored with it, so I switched to the 30 day shred (for some reason I felt like doing something that would really make me work...)

The emotional challenge was to do something for myself -

I didn't really do anything consciously, I did small things but nothing on purpose. I just didn't think about it...

This week i'm already off to rough start (I sorta skipped lunch today, but I'm eating pretzels, does that count?) but I am planning on ending our 'season' strong, so I just have to try harder.

Weekly Challenge #12

In case you are new:

Each week we are given two challenges. These challenges will start on Sunday (usually) and go through the following Saturday. (click here to learn more about our weekly challenges)

At the end of the week, we will each write a post explaining our experiences with the challenges.

BE HONEST. If you failed the challenge, tell us why. If you rocked it, tell us how. Most importantly, tell us how you feel about it.

This week's challenges

Physical Challenge: Rush!

This is our last week on this 'season' of reasons to lose, so for this weeks physical challenge we need to get every last workout in we can!

Nutritional Challenge: Don't Skip!

For this last week in our challenge don't skip any meals, breakfast lunch and dinner, get them all in!

Update, update, update!

Hey ladies!

So, here's how I did last week. 

I decided to focus on my arms and abs, and that went pretty well. 

I worked out two times last week, both of the workouts I did focused on those areas.

As for the almonds however... does chocolate covered count? ;-)

Cause if it does, then I did preeetty well

This weeks challenge of working out two times is going to be easy peasy. 

We'll workout together on Thursday, and I'm going to try a new pilates DVD Amber gave me for my other workout.

And I'm planning on going to raquetball on Thursday morning. 

But since we're working out that night, maybe I should rethink that idea...

The pampering... I don't know what I'm going to do yet.

I need to figure it out soon though, the week's halfway done!

What are you guys doing?

I have a giftcard to a spa I got for my wedding I haven't used yet, maybe I'll go there for a free facial or something... hmm, that sounds promising.

One of the many awesome gifts I got for Christmas is a Zoku Popsicle maker

Let me tell you, I love this thing.

It makes popsicles in 7 minutes! on the counter!

So, lately when I'm craving something sweet I just freeze some all natural orange juice in that baby, and it appeases my sweet tooth.

It's basically a win-win-win because orange juice is Michaels favorite flavor of pops too!.

My sweet tooth is something I deal with daily, and this has really helped me. 

One way to get in shape, and stay there, is to really watch what you eat. Maybe this will help you too!

You don't need to have this popsicle maker, you can freeze the old fashioned way or try something else that is all natural and will still settle the cravings. Like almonds! :-)

Let me know what you try!

Weekly Challenge #11

In case you are new:

Each week we are given two challenges. These challenges will start on Sunday (usually) and go through the following Saturday. (click here to learn more about our weekly challenges)

At the end of the week, we will each write a post explaining our experiences with the challenges.

BE HONEST. If you failed the challenge, tell us why. If you rocked it, tell us how. Most importantly, tell us how you feel about it.

This week's challenges

Physical Challenge: Build It Back UP!

I know most of you are still trying to get back into the swing of things, so this week the challenge is just to do two workouts of your choice. It doesn't have to be anything crazy, just make sure it happens twice, we have our weekly workout on Monday, that means you only have to find time to do ONE other workout in the next 5-6 days... I think you can do it!

Emotional Challenge: Take Time!

Sometimes it can be difficult to feel good about yourself but something as simple as taking time out to do something just for you, can make a world of differences! So this week pamper yourself in some way, it can be getting your hair or nails done, it could be taking time to read a book or have 'you time'. But whatever you do, find a way to feel beautiful or important!

Notes of the week

Super excited about this weeks challenge. I have almonds sitting on my desk at work all of the time! I love these ones.

I also LOVE the workout Amber and I have been doingon Mondays. It's Kettlebells with Jillian.

I actually like it a whole bunch! Better than the shred! I have an 8lbs bell while superwoman (Amber) lugs a 15lbs! Amazing! Try the workout. It will make you feel strong!

I'm back!!

Hey guys, it's been a while.

Here's an update on how my bruise 

It's been traumatic. 

My being anemic is another reason it has stayed so long.

But I can workout now!

I kicked off working out for the first time since my bruise last week. Working out did agitate my bruise, and so I took a lot of breaks.

Last week I worked out twice. Woohoo, I got that challenge! 

 I started with pilates. I figured that would be a good way to ease my body back into moving more than to and from the car. And I was right! It was nice, relaxing, gave my back an excellent stretch... 

Then I went and pushed myself a little too hard...

I did P90X for the first time. The ab ripper. And oh my word... I have no words... I did it on Saturday and I was still feeling achy Monday... that was the.worst.

To be fair, it is a really good workout, and I'm sure it's very effective. It was just so hard.

The pilates didn't hurt my bruise, but the P90X killed. Almost literally.

Maybe we should all do it together sometime! When I'm no longer injured. But be warned, I will take about 50 breaks.

As for the emotional challenge, I still haven't decided on the resolution. But I will! My goal is to decide by this weekend.

I'm Back!

It is time to get back into the swing of things, I know you all missed me :) So here is my update -

• Over Christmas I stayed surprisingly on top of things, I didn't go hard core all the time but I still somehow did about 1-2 workouts a week (not too shabby) My diet wasn't too bad either, I didn't over indulge normally (though I did splurge a few times!). I decide not to weigh myself before or after Christmas, I just wanted to be able to enjoy myself without feeling guilty but I still tried to maintain healthy eating/working out habits over Christmas and it seemed to work pretty well.

• I haven't kicked my workouts into high gear yet, I have been doing different DVDs consistently but have been taking it a little easy since Christmas. I need to start pushing harder since there's only 21 Days left in our challenge!

• I did last week's physical challenge, I liked having the pressure off and being able to just do workouts I enjoyed.

• For the emotional challenge, I have been having a difficult time coming up with a resolution but I think I will buy more shorts and wear them this summer, it might not seem like a big resolution but for me it kind of is. I own one pair of shorts and have worn then maybe 5 times in the past 3 years, ever since I was young I have avoided shorts, so this is going to be interesting...

So there is my update, I hope you guys had a enjoyable holiday break!

Weekly Challenge #10

In case you are new:

Each week we are given two challenges. These challenges will start on Sunday (usually) and go through the following Saturday. (click here to learn more about our weekly challenges)

At the end of the week, we will each write a post explaining our experiences with the challenges.

BE HONEST. If you failed the challenge, tell us why. If you rocked it, tell us how. Most importantly, tell us how you feel about it.

This week's challenges

Physical Challenge: Tone!

This week lets start to tone up! Building lean muscle burns fat, so this week lets work on building some muscle. Pick an area you would like to work on and do it 2-3 times this week, remember you need to feel a burn to make a change, so don't wimp out! Go strong, make yourself a little sore (don't hurt yourself, though!) You can pick a single muscle, like biceps, or go for a group of muscles, like your legs, but whatever you choose, make it count!

Nutritional Challenge: Almonds!

When cravings strike, bypass the junk. This week, almonds are your friend, make them your go-to snack! No junk this week. Instead, eat either veggies or almonds. Your waistline will thank me!

In a study of 65 men and women who were following a low-calorie diet, California researchers found that those who noshed on the nuts shrank their waistlines nearly 50% more than dieters who didn't eat them, despite consuming the same number of calories. Likewise, Spanish researchers found that even without increasing exercise, a diet enriched with monounsaturated fatty acids (aka MUFAs, found in foods such as almonds and avocados) decreased the accumulation of abdominal fat, compared with a carbohydrate-heavy diet, which increased it.

Weekly Challenge #9

In case you are new:

Each week we are given two challenges. These challenges will start on Sunday (usually) and go through the following Saturday. (click here to learn more about our weekly challenges)

At the end of the week, we will each write a post explaining our experiences with the challenges.

BE HONEST. If you failed the challenge, tell us why. If you rocked it, tell us how. Most importantly, tell us how you feel about it.

This week's challenges

Physical Challenge: Love It!

This week is all about getting back into the swing of things, the holidays are over and so is the time for slacking off (if you didn't slack off good for you! But you still need to do this week's challenge...) This week find a way to burn some fat and get that heart pumping with something you enjoy, we all know how difficult it can be to get going full force after a break... So for your workouts do the things you like, maybe it is the less difficult DVD or instead of running, you do yoga. Wherever you decide make sure you do it at least twice this week, do yourself a favor and instead of burning yourself out with doing things you hate to make up for the down time, ease yourself back into the swing of things. You will be more likely to stick with your workout plan and have an easier time getting back to full force!

Emotional Challenge: Resolution!

With it being so close to New Years, it seems fitting to make a resolution to yourself. Chose something you would like to change but instead of it being a physical change, have it be something inside. You are a wonderful person and you need to believe it! So have a goal (or resolution) to work on throughout the rest of the challenge (and keep it up/working on it throughout the year) maybe it will be that every time you look in a mirror you won't think something insulting about yourself, maybe you will go out without makeup on or less makeup, maybe you will wear shorts or some other piece of clothing you normally avoid. Wherever it is, pick something that you know needs to change and work on it, confidence it key to happiness and we all deserve to be happy.