Special Kind of Morning

A good mom is one that wakes up with you not once, not twice but three times in the middle of the night to clean up vomit, diarrhea, or any other bodily fluids that came out. A good mom is one that allows you to sleep with her even though it puts her at risk. A good mom is one that doesn't say a word when she gets thrown up on in the middle of the night. She just changes her clothes, flips the pillow over and goes back to bed. A good mom wakes up after only getting a couple of hours of sleep scrubs the mattresses, does up laundry, cleans up sick kid, calls school to report illness, locates someone to cover second shift and still manages to primp herself for a fun day of work; where she will get yelled at by grouchy old farts with a smile on her face and bags under her eyes.

Day 2

DietBet Day 2:

Woke up this morning to find that we received 3 inches of snow last night and another 3 have fallen since (still coming down). It is really hard to find motivation to workout when it's cold, wet, and just plain nasty out.

My day at work started out with an office meeting and a box of donuts calling my name. You would be so proud of me; I pulled out my fat free muffin and said no to the donuts. I found the best muffins. The whole family loves them.

They are so yummy. I make them using my mini muffin tin. I can eat two for 140 calories. I feel like I am cheating by eating two vs one large one. 

Last night we ran around town trying to find a new mini van or crossover so we stopped at Wendy's for dinner. I picked up a small chili for lunch today. It wasn't bad. Hoping that it doesn't make me gassy and bloated though. Nothing worse then trying to run on the treadmill at the gym and feeling like that. I know a little TMI, but hey we've all been there. 

Tonight I have a PTO meeting at the little girls school. I need to figure out when to make dinner. I guess I will get oldest MiKayla picked up from track practice then head home to make a nice salmon dinner, eat, then head to my meeting. Hoping to get a light workout in before bed. I will let you know how that goes.  Gotta love this on the go life I lead. 

Day 1

DietBet day 1:

This morning I got up to find that first mother nature hates me physically and mentally. Besides that I started out pretty good. I had my oatmeal this morning. This is huge for me since most mornings I don't eat anything or maybe a piece of fruit. I had a lean pocket for lunch today and a small 140 calorie snack after.

Because I have to be to work by 7am which means I need to leave my house by 6:30am I really do not have time to workout in the morning so I go after work. I decided that today I would run. I did 3 miles on the treadmill. Felt pretty good to get to 3 miles, but boy was it tough.

I finished up the night by having a smarter Wendy's choice dinner and relaxing before bed.

Incentive

It has been a long week. My three beautiful children keep me very busy or maybe I keep them busy which in turn keeps me busy.. something like that.. all I know is that I am always busy. We have gymnastics, church, swim lessons, school activities, softball starting, etc., etc. We all the craziness in my life I am trying to find time to workout and being that it's winter in Northern Michigan that means I need to find gym time. Needless to say it's been hard to find enough time to give it 100%; until now.

What has changed you might ask? Well I now have some financial incentive. My little sister stopped by tonight and told me about this site called DietBet. DietBet holds weight loss challenges. You pay $25 and bet to lose 4% of your weight in 28 days. if you can do that you will win the pot divided by all that lose their 4% so at least your $25.

To be honest with you while signing up I though piece of cake.. then I calculated my 4%. I haven't had my official weigh in yet but I figure that 4% should be about 7 pounds. Yikes!!! That is 2 pounds a week. That goal is harder then it might sound. We have weeks that are up and down and lately I have been averaging about 1.25 pounds a week. So not only do I need to do what I have been doing but kick it up by double the effort.

No turning back now.. official weigh in will be on Sunday afternoon. Wish me luck!

I think I can! I think I can!

First off let me start by saying I am sick of winter... It's cold and icy and I am so over it. The only thing nice about winter is that it is acceptable to run around in long pants and big sweaters.

Back in January I decided I need to become a runner. All the women I know who have lost weight either walk or run and most run. I went out and bought some running shoes, joined the gym and decided I needed to start training for a 5K as motivation. After several weeks of training I decided to see how well I could do on the treadmill. I was going to run 3.1 miles and see how long it takes me. I was still learning how to log things on my run keeper so it's listed as walking not running.

Last night I was feeling pretty good and decided it was time to try it again. Here are my results:

I didn't go the full 3.10 so it's not a perfect comparison but it's pretty darn good. That 0.10 of a mile is only maybe another minute if that. As you can see though my average pace has sped up and even if I add another minute to my run last night I have shaved 4+ minutes off in just a little over a month. 

In addition I want to note that this time and distance includes a 5 minute warm up walking before I start running. I am going to wait a couple weeks and try starting my time after my warm up and see what my true 5K treadmill time is. Even though the scale lately hasn't moved this to me is a sign that my overall health is improving and I am becoming more fit. I have not registered for the April 20th 5K yet but I think I might just to see. 

Down Stress, Down

There have been many studies that show that stress can hinder weight loss. I can honestly say that this is true because I am proof. But, is it because stress causes our body to freak out or is it because stress causes munchies and other poor diet habits? Because I am one of those poor choice people I decided to research food that helps fight stress. I found this acticle online: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2081112/Foods-fight-stress-Changing-diet-overcome-anxiety-step-successful-weight-loss.html

There are several reasons why we stress and different way to cope with it. Here are some of the key points I found:

• Bloated and Stressed: Eat Jerusalem artichokes, chicory, bananas, garlic, onions and leeks. 
• Wired and Stresses: Eat protein with every meal; eggs, meat or fish. Also eat healthy fats and plenty of vegetables.
• Cold and Stressed: Eat less sugar and refined carbs. Eat protein and good fats with each meal. Cut back on alcohol and coffee. Avoid raw cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and kale. Eat warming foods such as chili, ginger, green tea, turmeric, cider vinegar, horseradish and wasabi.
• Ill and Stressed: Eat fresh brightly coloured fruit and vegetables. Spices, tea, green tea, garlic, red wine and dark chocolate are also good to eat. 
• Hormonal and Stressed: Eat organic meat, eggs and dairy products tend to be lower in growth hormones. Eat a little fermented soy like soy sauce, tamari, miso, and tempeh can help. Also eat plenty of fiber. 
• Tired and stressed: Eat more red meat, fish and eggs, spinach and watercress, poultry, milk, tofu and mushrooms. Also make sure to get more fluids by increasing fruit and veggie intake. 
• Demotivated and Stressed: Eat protein with every meal. Eat bio-yogurt and cut back on sugar.  

I think the key here is to eat your protein, limit your sugar, and avoid gassy foods. The one thing that stood out to me was that I need to become ill and stressed because those people get to eat chocolate. So, before you pick up a bag of chips and munch the stress away take a look at this list and pick the best alternative. 

5K & ME

The sun is out and the birds are singing.. Spring is right around the corner; or we hope it is. I have been really trying to focus on weight lose and myself this year. I choice to not make a resolution but rather to change my lifestyle starting with me.

Over the years I have followed blogs by some amazing women who have all lost a ton of weight and the one thing they all have in common is that they run. I haven never been a runner. I have short, fat legs and have never liked the look of jogging pants.

I decide that this year I was going to sign up for a couple 5k's and just try it out. I have done a couple local 5k's and done okay. Already, not okay - I sucked but I finished. This time I plan on training for one. I signed up for my first 5K of the season July 17th in Minneapolis, MN. I figured it would be fun to run with my older sister plus it is time for me to go home for a visit. Together we registered for a 5K Color Run.

After registering for my first 5K I was feeling pretty good so decided to get started but how..... 

First step was to buy some new running shoes. I went into a local shoe store and purchased the top rated that fit my feet and felt good. They are the ugliest shoes ever.

The next step was to get a gym membership and start using it. I joined the local YMCA and enrolled the kids in classes. I figured that if they had class I would have zero excuse to not workout since I was already there. After doing a little research I decided to download a Couch to 5K app for my phone and to get started. 

Just like any diet/fitness plan I have ever tried before; I start out strong. I was running 3 times a week. Every day I got faster and further. I decided that I need to add another 5K to my schedule. I signed up for the local 5K I had done before on Memorial Day. I also signed up for another Color Run in August closer to home with my little sister. As the weeks have gone by the weight has slowly come off but not as fast as I would like  and now I am gaining not losing. Frustration is setting in and it's hard to get motivated. I own the gear, I set a goal, I hired a personal trainer; so what's the problem?

My family has always struggled with their weight and my sisters feel my pain. My little sister has been trying to help me figure out what's going on. She got me a BodyMedia. 

This allows me to track everything happening with my body. Sleep, steps, activity, and food. I have learned a ton in the past 2 weeks. I find that my workouts are not the problem. My problem is logging my food and staying honest with myself. Log the 4 tablespoons of frosting I ate, not pretend that I didn't. 

Weight loss is a challenge and I struggle every day. Today though is a new day and I plan to focus on ME.

Skinny Taco Soup

Skinny Taco Soup

½ lb ground turkey
½ lb lean hamburger
1 taco seasoning pk

1 ranch dressing pk

2 cans rotel diced (do not drain)
2 cans diced tomatoes chili ready  (do not drain)
1 can mexi-blend corn (drained)
1 can kidney beans (drained & rinsed)

1 can black beans with jalapeno's (drained)


Brown meat w/taco seasoning. Pour into Crock pot w/other ingredients and stir. Cook for about 4 hours on low. Serve w/baked tortilla chips.

Fiber

     It is starting to get really cold here at nights. Okay so for here 32 is not really cold but it sure feels that way. Hard to believe that in a month we will be hoping to reach 32 during the day. One thing I am not looking forward to is the bundling up of the kids. Takes me 15 mins to find snow gear and get it on them; so that they can head out and play for 5 mins; and it will take me another 15 mins to get them back out of all their gear, hang everything up and make the hot chocolate.

     My morning routine consist of getting ready for work, double checking kids backpacks and then having breakfast with Holly. I love reading about her daily adventures. Her life always seems so exciting. I often sit and wonder if it really is or if she is just a better writer then me. :) I am sure it's both. This morning she wrote about feeling like Fred Flinstone when she runs. I love the analogy even though if she is Fred then my short 5' 2' legs and size 8 1/2 feet make me Barney (maybe Rubble, maybe purple dinosaur). I find myself making daily characacher's of myself. I hate my big feet, my short body, flat hair, long fingers, teenage ache. By the time I am done I am left with a bad self image, instead of how I want to feel... 
     My morning routine consist of getting ready for work, double checking kids backpacks and then having breakfast with Holly. I love reading about her daily adventures. Her life always seems so exciting. I often sit and wonder if it really is or if she is just a better writer then me. :) I am sure it's both. This morning she wrote about feeling like Fred Flinstone when she runs. I love the analogy even though if she is Fred then my short 5' 2' legs and size 8 1/2 feet make me Barney (maybe Rubble, maybe purple dinosaur). I find myself making daily characacher's of myself. I hate my big feet, my short body, flat hair, long fingers, teenage ache. By the time I am done I am left with a bad self image, instead of how I want to feel... 

     To help with this bad self image I have been working out. I am not dropping a TON of weight yet but I am working on it. I have been hitting the gyms a couple times a week and really pushing myself while I am there. It is one thing to go it is another to actually put in the effort. A couple days ago my husband suggest that I start taking fiber so I jumped on the fiber bandwagon and have been drinking my fiber every morning and trying to remember every night. I read up on it and a woman my age should be getting 25 grams of fiber a day. Let's talk a little TMI; are you pooping your banana a day? Dr. Oz says it takes 20 hours to push out what you eat. Without enough water and fiber it can take up to 100 hours which is bad because your food is essentially rotting in your belly. You should poop a banana; shape and texture a day at least but no more than 4 a day. 

     Okay that's enough.. I am off to work. Until next time; happy pooping ;) 

 

Which Cardio Exercise Burns the Most Calories?

I found this article online. I am trying to figure out which cardio program will help me jump start my workout. Below are the top 10 cardio exercises which burn the most calories in 30 minutes.

1. Step Aerobics - one of the most favorite cardio exercises preferred by women. Step Aerobics mainly target your legs, hips and glutes, and can burn approx. 400 calories in 30 minutes.
2. Bicycling - stationary or outdoors is a great cardio exercises, depending on resistance and speed can but 250 to 500 calories in 30 minutes.
3. Swimming - like cross-country skiing is an excellent cardio exercises as it is a full body exercises. Swimming is a great cross-training for other cardio activities. Doing the breast stroke can burn approx. 400 calories in 30 minutes.
4. Racquetball - side to side sprinting makes racquetball and excellent cardio exercises. A 145-lb person burns over 400 calories in 30 minutes.
5. Rock Climbing - is not only a cardio exercises, but also uses arm and leg strength and power. Rock Climbing can burn up to 380 calories in 30 minutes.
6. Cross-Country Skiing - whether on a machine or outdoors on snow, is an incredible cardio exercises as it involves both upper and lower body. A 145 lb person can burn approx 330 calories in 30 minutes.
7. Running - Running is an excellent cardio exercises because all you need is a pair of quality running shoes. Running burns serious calories. A 145 LB person can easily burn 300 calories in 30 minutes.
8. Elliptical Trainer - is an excellent cardio exercises and a great way to build endurance. A 145 LB person can burn about 300 calories in 30 minutes.
9. Rowing - is both a cardio exercises as well as giving your arms an incredible workout. 145 LB person can burn about 300 calories in 30 minutes.
10. Walking - Brisk walking is a less strenuous form of cardio exercises. Walking can burn up to 180 calories in 30 minutes. Sprinting, adding hills or an incline can increase amount of calories burned.

For the real high intensity cardio people out there who love the H.I.I.T training (HighIntensity Interval Training), below are the top three cardio exercise which will provide amazing results!

1. Jumping Rope - This is one of the simplest, yet most effective exercises one can do. In just 15 to 20 minutes, jumping rope will give you an unparalleled total body workout. Jumping rope is ideal for cardiovascular endurance and enhances performance in virtually any sport - tennis, basketball, football, skiing, volleyball and more. This simple exercise is also great for eye-hand coordination, lateral movement, foot and hand speed and agility.
2. Sprinting - Sprinting not only burns HUGE amounts of calories while sprinting, it also keeps your metabolism flying for days after. Sprinting combined with running / jogging can bring amazing results
3. Spinning - These high-intensity workouts to music simulate a challenging bike ride, complete with hills, valleys and varying speeds, all dictated by the group instructor.

Trader

It's starting to get cold here in Northern Michigan. We have seen snow several times but nothing sticking; which is a good thing. I am not looking forward to snow gear.. It takes mom 15 mins to get kids into snow gear, for them to play outside for 5 minutes; then another 10 minutes getting gear off, hung up to dry and the hot chocolate made. I really hate winter...

Over the weekend a good family friend competed in the Iceman Race. The Bell's Beer Iceman trail consists of paved roads, dirt roads, two tracks (majority of course, abandoned railroad beds and the world famous Vasa Nordic Ski Trail. It's 30 miles long. Race is done no matter the temperature or winter conditions. Friday night we got a sitter and stayed overnight in Traverse City so that Saturday morning we could attending the opening event and see Greg off. Even though he is crazy it was so cool to see him start and finish. He completed the race in 2:48. It still amazes me. That is just crazy to think of riding a bike in the cold 32' temp through the mud, snow, rough wooded terrain 30 miles.

It got me thinking one that I am pretty out of shape but two how much I enjoy competing in my small 5K races. I am not a runner and not sure I want to be but I really enjoy the feeling you get from finishing. Maybe I will consider running/walking another one this spring.

I have started working out again. I started back up a couple weeks ago. I decided to challenge myself to lose 10 pounds by Thanksgiving. This wasn't going to be that hard until I hit a plateau or what felt like one. I did a two pound gain that I held onto for 3 weeks and really discouraged me.I am 5.6 pounds away still and have less then 3 weeks to drop and unless I have a wonderful week this week not going to happen. I am trying not to get discouraged and have been trying to mix up the workout and increase the time and speed. I switched over to the elliptical a week ago and hoping that will help my Saturday weigh in. I would love to see 2 down this week. I feel like a trader though - I have always believed in walking to lose weight and have had success but.... I need to mix it up.

We are planning to take the girls to Chicago over Valentines Day weekend and I would love to be down in the lower 160's or even see the 150's by then but I am 16 pounds away from 159 so we will see. There is time; 15 weeks but three food holidays to get through. Baby steps.