Well, that was one heck of a week. As I was sitting down to the computer this morning to get organized, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed about creating my "to do" list. Then I thought to myself, gee, why don't I blog first, because I always feel better after doing that, plus I seem to be able to work my way through some of my issues doing this. ;) So here I am!
I think I might need to start blogging every morning and keeping myself on track! This afternoon I will begin day 1 of my 30 day shred. (thank you Jamie!) If I am blogging, then I will be able to be held accountable to the blogging world to make sure I get my workout in... I know you all will be excited to hear how well I can keep up with this one. *smile*
Okay, re-visiting my last blog (see, I didn't forget!) I talked about foods that hold you (and me) captive. For me, I have several. First and foremost, Coca-Cola. Second, fast food. Third, cheese. (I know, random) Knowing I have this 30 day shred starting today, I decided yesterday to give up Coke (ok, soda all the way around) during these 30 days. I also am giving up the major players in the fast food circuit. (Wendy's, McDonalds, BK) I ate at Fazoli's yesterday, but changed up what I ate, so I felt better about it. I am going to (try) to at least log everything I am eating every day-- and when I have time, convert everything to WW points. I know that sytem works for me- plus keeps in mind that I need to eat my exercise points so I don't end up with too large a deficit so I am okay metabolically... yes, a lot of work, but dammit, it is about time. Now the cheese issue is another thing... I think I am going to start small and not buy the block cheese from the store. Staying away from FF will ensure I won't put cheese on my hamburgers... lol
After a crazy day yesterday, I am very focused on accomplishing lots of things today. Having Morgan home was great, but we were both super lazy and stayed in bed till 11, then went and watched a movie, followed by the trip to Fazoli's. Then we went home and I picked up a library book that I was wanting to finish and there I stayed instead of preparing for class... which led to my last minute rush and my inability to locate my ipod, which led to no class. (and a very flustered, irritated, embarassed Gina) So today I have already worked on the kitchen and dining room area, and after I finish here I will get moving on the rest of my list, which today includes getting the house picked up and clean. Tomorrow I will be working on scheduling for classes in February- and new choreography for class tomorrow night! Then on Thursday I will be able to focus on studying for my return to school next week. Ahhhh, see what I mean? I already feel better. :)
So today I am starting the 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels. I am excited and a little nervous. I have realized how out of control I have gotten and I am hopeful that today will be the day that ends that little blurp in my life. I will be taking measurements and weighing in- plus doing the fitness assessment that I do on students- the pushup and curlup tests. Let's see how I rate today and then again in 30 days. (I also purchased the shred with Jillian that utilizes kettlebells- I plan on using that one too, eventually) I am fascinated with kettlebells! Such an old workout, gives some amazing results.
Well, I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday. I will be back tomorrow to report how Day 1 went...
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Chaos = No Good
WOW, what a crazy week I have had! Not a lot of great advances in my quest for weight loss, but I haven't taken any steps backwards either...My challenge to myself this week is to actually be able to hit the challenge from last week! Sadly, I don't think I accomplished one session of core work. I realized a lot of things over the weekend: just about every little bit of my life is in chaos right now and that is translating into one very unorganized and flustered Gina.
I am not used to being unprepared for things, especially in a classroom. But I continue to find myself sitting down in class every Monday and Wednesday saying "Before next class, I am going to get it together!" Granted my grades are still pretty darn good, if I may brag a bit, but those A's won't stay A's for long at the rate that I am going! I went from 106% to a 99% to a 96% in Anatomy. OOPS. Luckily I have a week off next week and so my challenge next week is going to be to really get myself together so that I can focus on the things that I need to! School, yes, that is a no brainer. I need to do well. But there are so many things I want to do with the fitness classes at the church- adding in other classes-- a beginner class, a strength training class, and then there are several who have requested a weight loss support group. And make all of this possible for people to come to as many classes as they want to and still be able to afford it, while still making enough money to pay all of my bills... My goal is to plan everything next week and then implement all the schedule changes in February. (gee, another challenge!) I also get to spend part of the week getting my house organized. Hopefully I will get some time to learn some new choreography as well! Well crud, there went that week! LOL
I know you are saying: gee Gina, you have given yourself plenty of challenges, but what good does that do me?? And you are right. So I need for you to do a couple of things this week. First: think about that one food that holds you hostage. The one you cannot control, that completely controls you whenever you eat it. Make some decisions about how you are going to handle situations when this food is present. Can you limit yourself? Or is this something that really you just need to stay away from, not buy at the store? Is there more than one food- or is it a drink? Really sit down and take some time to think about it. On Thursday I will be back and talk about my own food issues.
Second- What do you want to get from your workouts? Do you want to maintain your current body weight, but improve your overall cardiovascular health? Or do you want to lose weight? Or do you want to gain lean muscle mass? Think about it-- and let me know what it is that you want to do! That way I can help you achieve your goals... I think if you are taking the time to read my incessant ramblings, that I can take time to give you some personal training "on the house". *wink*
Well, it is getting rather late and I do have school tomorrow. Crud, just got the call that Northmont is on a 2hour delay. If only I could be too! *smile* HEY! What do you know... posted this, then checked WHIOTV.com and there it was! I get a 2 hour delay too!! YIPEEEEEEEE! lol
I am not used to being unprepared for things, especially in a classroom. But I continue to find myself sitting down in class every Monday and Wednesday saying "Before next class, I am going to get it together!" Granted my grades are still pretty darn good, if I may brag a bit, but those A's won't stay A's for long at the rate that I am going! I went from 106% to a 99% to a 96% in Anatomy. OOPS. Luckily I have a week off next week and so my challenge next week is going to be to really get myself together so that I can focus on the things that I need to! School, yes, that is a no brainer. I need to do well. But there are so many things I want to do with the fitness classes at the church- adding in other classes-- a beginner class, a strength training class, and then there are several who have requested a weight loss support group. And make all of this possible for people to come to as many classes as they want to and still be able to afford it, while still making enough money to pay all of my bills... My goal is to plan everything next week and then implement all the schedule changes in February. (gee, another challenge!) I also get to spend part of the week getting my house organized. Hopefully I will get some time to learn some new choreography as well! Well crud, there went that week! LOL
I know you are saying: gee Gina, you have given yourself plenty of challenges, but what good does that do me?? And you are right. So I need for you to do a couple of things this week. First: think about that one food that holds you hostage. The one you cannot control, that completely controls you whenever you eat it. Make some decisions about how you are going to handle situations when this food is present. Can you limit yourself? Or is this something that really you just need to stay away from, not buy at the store? Is there more than one food- or is it a drink? Really sit down and take some time to think about it. On Thursday I will be back and talk about my own food issues.
Second- What do you want to get from your workouts? Do you want to maintain your current body weight, but improve your overall cardiovascular health? Or do you want to lose weight? Or do you want to gain lean muscle mass? Think about it-- and let me know what it is that you want to do! That way I can help you achieve your goals... I think if you are taking the time to read my incessant ramblings, that I can take time to give you some personal training "on the house". *wink*
Well, it is getting rather late and I do have school tomorrow. Crud, just got the call that Northmont is on a 2hour delay. If only I could be too! *smile* HEY! What do you know... posted this, then checked WHIOTV.com and there it was! I get a 2 hour delay too!! YIPEEEEEEEE! lol
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Trying to skinny up the middle
Can you spot reduce? No way. I know this. However, it has been proven that if you do a ton of one exercise, it will be enough to spark a cardiovascular response and you will get benefits from the work. So, does it make sense to 'kill' one area at a time? For me, I say yes. My problem with my workouts is that I haven't for a long time taxed my body enough to even be sore the next day. I might feel certain muscles differently the day after a new routine, but it that DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) doesn't even last a full 48 hours! I know I have done a thorough job of tearing my muscle fibers down if I am sore the next day, but then even more sore the following day. Only then do I feel good in the knowledge that I WORKED HARD.
I see so many people on the protein train- thinking they need to consume mass quanties of protein after a workout because they need to repair their muscles. The sad part is, many of those people aren't taxing their bodies enough to even warrant the extra protein, which then they are just overindulging. Most of us get enough protein in our diets without adding the scoop of protein mix to our favorite smoothie or shake. But the protein bandwagon is hot, difficult to say no, when we think we are doing a good thing for our bodies. If you work hard, lifting weights and tearing muscle down, then hey- by all means add that scoop- or better yet, save some money and just drink some good old fashioned chocolate milk! One of the best forms of protein you could ingest, and gives you the right amount of protein to help your muscles.
Okay, enough of my soapbox preaching...
Today, my challenge to you- and to myself- is to complete 100 abdominal crunches. Am I going to lie down on the floor and crunch up 100 times the same way? Nope! I am going to do some crunches, some oblique work, some plank holds, maybe some Tspine supports, but needless to say, I am going to work my core today. To the point where I better be sore tomorrow or I am going to be highly irritated! *smile*
Let me know how you plan to get your 100 in... I am not saying that doing the same exact exercise 100 times over the course of the day is a bad thing- there are some exercises that I will do that way. I just feel like there are so many different muscles in your abdominal wall that you need to hit them all to get in the best workout. Who knows, maybe some of this will improve my posterior as well. lol
My sister inspired today's workout. When she was losing weight after my nieces were born, she did the crunches every day for months. She did 100 of them religiously. She knows as well as I do that you can't technically spot reduce, but it did in fact flatten her middle. Because for her and I, that is the first place we lose weight. So for me, I know that my workout today is going to flatten my mid-section (well, hopefully!). Will it work that way for others? perhaps. Just depends on how you are wired. Maybe for some, it will be improvements in your arms, for others your back. Some may be affected more so in the upper abs, others in the lower abs. No matter what, if you are doing 100 of anything in one specific area, you WILL see results. Just make sure to drink plenty of fluids to help flush out those toxins you are gonna be releasing!!!
p.s. Yesterday was rough! I am glad it is Tuesday! But after a fast food sandwich (probably not the best choice, but the simplest to eat en route), I ate soup and a sandwich from Tim Hortons for lunch. Okay, I had a Coke with lunch as well, but I needed the double shot of caffeine- those exams wore me out! I did great with snacks- a banana and granola bar on the run between class and Zumba. Dinner might have been at 10pm, but it was very good! A pot roast, potatoes and onions that had cooked in the crock pot all day- a new recipe that cooked the meat and veggies in ginger ale. It was fabulous!!
Today I am home most of the day. Other than getting oil changed and a trip to the grocery with my almost 3 year old niece, I have a low stress day planned. I hope yours is a great one too!
I see so many people on the protein train- thinking they need to consume mass quanties of protein after a workout because they need to repair their muscles. The sad part is, many of those people aren't taxing their bodies enough to even warrant the extra protein, which then they are just overindulging. Most of us get enough protein in our diets without adding the scoop of protein mix to our favorite smoothie or shake. But the protein bandwagon is hot, difficult to say no, when we think we are doing a good thing for our bodies. If you work hard, lifting weights and tearing muscle down, then hey- by all means add that scoop- or better yet, save some money and just drink some good old fashioned chocolate milk! One of the best forms of protein you could ingest, and gives you the right amount of protein to help your muscles.
Okay, enough of my soapbox preaching...
Today, my challenge to you- and to myself- is to complete 100 abdominal crunches. Am I going to lie down on the floor and crunch up 100 times the same way? Nope! I am going to do some crunches, some oblique work, some plank holds, maybe some Tspine supports, but needless to say, I am going to work my core today. To the point where I better be sore tomorrow or I am going to be highly irritated! *smile*
Let me know how you plan to get your 100 in... I am not saying that doing the same exact exercise 100 times over the course of the day is a bad thing- there are some exercises that I will do that way. I just feel like there are so many different muscles in your abdominal wall that you need to hit them all to get in the best workout. Who knows, maybe some of this will improve my posterior as well. lol
My sister inspired today's workout. When she was losing weight after my nieces were born, she did the crunches every day for months. She did 100 of them religiously. She knows as well as I do that you can't technically spot reduce, but it did in fact flatten her middle. Because for her and I, that is the first place we lose weight. So for me, I know that my workout today is going to flatten my mid-section (well, hopefully!). Will it work that way for others? perhaps. Just depends on how you are wired. Maybe for some, it will be improvements in your arms, for others your back. Some may be affected more so in the upper abs, others in the lower abs. No matter what, if you are doing 100 of anything in one specific area, you WILL see results. Just make sure to drink plenty of fluids to help flush out those toxins you are gonna be releasing!!!
p.s. Yesterday was rough! I am glad it is Tuesday! But after a fast food sandwich (probably not the best choice, but the simplest to eat en route), I ate soup and a sandwich from Tim Hortons for lunch. Okay, I had a Coke with lunch as well, but I needed the double shot of caffeine- those exams wore me out! I did great with snacks- a banana and granola bar on the run between class and Zumba. Dinner might have been at 10pm, but it was very good! A pot roast, potatoes and onions that had cooked in the crock pot all day- a new recipe that cooked the meat and veggies in ginger ale. It was fabulous!!
Today I am home most of the day. Other than getting oil changed and a trip to the grocery with my almost 3 year old niece, I have a low stress day planned. I hope yours is a great one too!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
GO!
Well, my start to 2011 hasn't been earth shattering or life altering yet. *laughing* I missed yesterday and then today was just crazy! I knew that I wasn't going to be able to get in a major workout till Tuesday (the 100 challenges will be issued on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, by the way). I should have blogged, but you see how that went! Anyway...
I wanted to see just how bad I could be yesterday (yes, this would be confession time). We went to Michael's parent's house for a day of card playing- and eating. Not necessarily in that order. I stepped on the scale for giggles and grins before I left, and then again when I returned home after what turned out to be a marathon day of grazing. I was 6 pounds heavier when I came home! HOLY COW! Yes, that is ridiculous! Granted, today I am back down, but knowing I consumed 6 pounds of food and beverage in one day was a definite wake up call for me.
So, tomorrow is my first day back at school. It is going to suck because not only do I have school: I have to get in the shower at 5 am, take Michael to work, then get my daughter and my niece (who is staying with me this week) ready for school, put dinner in the crock pot, take the girls to latchkey, then off to school by 7 am. After class, I have to rush home, pick up my family, bust it to Zumba class, where HOPEFULLY everyone has returned from their breaks. THEN (because that isn't enough) Morgan has Jazz class from 8:30 - 9:15. Then after we get home and I get the girls to bed, I can have dinner. So, needless to say, my challenge is to be smart in my food selections tomorrow. Of course I need to go to the grocery store, so taking a well thought out packed lunch is out of the question. dang. But I think I can make good choices picking up lunch for myself. I'll take water bottles and granola bars to get me through the classes. I am planning on having a good, healthy day- even though the cards are stacked against me right now. (honestly, I feel calmer about facing tomorrow just having put it into words.) *smile*
I hope everyone has a smooth return to normalcy- and success in whatever their New Year's Resolutions may be. Stick to it!! You will be so much happier (and healthier) in the long run!!
I wanted to see just how bad I could be yesterday (yes, this would be confession time). We went to Michael's parent's house for a day of card playing- and eating. Not necessarily in that order. I stepped on the scale for giggles and grins before I left, and then again when I returned home after what turned out to be a marathon day of grazing. I was 6 pounds heavier when I came home! HOLY COW! Yes, that is ridiculous! Granted, today I am back down, but knowing I consumed 6 pounds of food and beverage in one day was a definite wake up call for me.
So, tomorrow is my first day back at school. It is going to suck because not only do I have school: I have to get in the shower at 5 am, take Michael to work, then get my daughter and my niece (who is staying with me this week) ready for school, put dinner in the crock pot, take the girls to latchkey, then off to school by 7 am. After class, I have to rush home, pick up my family, bust it to Zumba class, where HOPEFULLY everyone has returned from their breaks. THEN (because that isn't enough) Morgan has Jazz class from 8:30 - 9:15. Then after we get home and I get the girls to bed, I can have dinner. So, needless to say, my challenge is to be smart in my food selections tomorrow. Of course I need to go to the grocery store, so taking a well thought out packed lunch is out of the question. dang. But I think I can make good choices picking up lunch for myself. I'll take water bottles and granola bars to get me through the classes. I am planning on having a good, healthy day- even though the cards are stacked against me right now. (honestly, I feel calmer about facing tomorrow just having put it into words.) *smile*
I hope everyone has a smooth return to normalcy- and success in whatever their New Year's Resolutions may be. Stick to it!! You will be so much happier (and healthier) in the long run!!
Friday, December 31, 2010
get ready...get set...
Happy New Year's Eve! I am sitting here on my couch, enjoying a cup of coffee (brewed on my new Keurig coffee brewer, btw-lol) and reflecting on the past year that I have had and looking forward to the upcoming 2011. I don't know if 2010 has been good or not- weird thought, I know. But honestly it has been one of so many ups and downs that I think I will remain on the fence- and say that 2010 was just ok.
Started off pretty crappy, but came back around in February. I was into school heavy, enjoying every class and learning a lot. That I am thankful for- that I had the opportunity to return to school and finish my Associate's degree with ease and speed! I never imagined that a year later I would be in massage school, but hey, I figured that I would learn about things that would take me places I hadn't imagined. That, I think, is a perk of being an adult college student. You are open to thinking outside of the box, and don't feel like you HAVE to go in a certain order or something that doesn't jive with what your goals are. Anyway, back to my year... lol. Summer was hectic as we moved to Clayton- not something that was planned, but what turned out to be the best move we could have made. We love our home and being outside of the city 'plat' living is something we all are happy about. Granted the move sucked and the timing was rough- Morgan's beginning of summer break was happening, plus finishing up my school was a lot more time consuming than I ever thought it would be. But at least my internship at Personally Fit gave me some great insight to Muscle Activiation Techniques, and reassured me that is what I want to do "when I grow up." *smile*
Morgan's transition to a new school has gone (relatively) smooth, thankfully. I know she misses her friends at her old school, but I think the change has been a good one. Her grades say so, at least.
I am hopeful that the upcoming year is a good one for everyone. I have several goals that I am intent on reaching, and I have made some decisions about my schedule that will allow me to reach those goals without suffering from burnout. I know some won't be thrilled with my decisions, but I know I have to do what is best for me and for my family. Well, I hope everyone has a very safe New Years! Get ready to complete some crazy challenges with me starting tomorrow! bwaaahaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaa
Started off pretty crappy, but came back around in February. I was into school heavy, enjoying every class and learning a lot. That I am thankful for- that I had the opportunity to return to school and finish my Associate's degree with ease and speed! I never imagined that a year later I would be in massage school, but hey, I figured that I would learn about things that would take me places I hadn't imagined. That, I think, is a perk of being an adult college student. You are open to thinking outside of the box, and don't feel like you HAVE to go in a certain order or something that doesn't jive with what your goals are. Anyway, back to my year... lol. Summer was hectic as we moved to Clayton- not something that was planned, but what turned out to be the best move we could have made. We love our home and being outside of the city 'plat' living is something we all are happy about. Granted the move sucked and the timing was rough- Morgan's beginning of summer break was happening, plus finishing up my school was a lot more time consuming than I ever thought it would be. But at least my internship at Personally Fit gave me some great insight to Muscle Activiation Techniques, and reassured me that is what I want to do "when I grow up." *smile*
Morgan's transition to a new school has gone (relatively) smooth, thankfully. I know she misses her friends at her old school, but I think the change has been a good one. Her grades say so, at least.
I am hopeful that the upcoming year is a good one for everyone. I have several goals that I am intent on reaching, and I have made some decisions about my schedule that will allow me to reach those goals without suffering from burnout. I know some won't be thrilled with my decisions, but I know I have to do what is best for me and for my family. Well, I hope everyone has a very safe New Years! Get ready to complete some crazy challenges with me starting tomorrow! bwaaahaaaaaaahaaaaaaaaaaa
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Day 25 - We did it!!
Today I know everyone is super crunched for time... and I like everything to be a complete journey, ending somewhere close to the beginning. (yes, that was a deep thought moment...) Today I would like everyone to do 25 jumping jacks... and take a moment to reflect on the past 25 days. Has it changed your daily attitude about exercise? Did it become a higher priority for you? Did you enjoy it- even the physical challenges you didn't like? Let me know what you thought!
I have enjoyed this, more than just the physical part of it (although thanks to bronchitis, I will be making up the exercises from this past week during next week) ... challenging myself to keep others challenged it what I have enjoyed most! I like to use what I have learned to share with you - my friends- and help you to feel better/lose weight/whatever your fitness goal might be.
I will be blogging on a regular basis and I encourage you to check in - and keep me on task! I have a bridesmaid dress that is hanging on the back of my door that I must get into by April. I can't at this point. (well, I can, but isn't very attractive!) For those of you who have enjoyed this challenge, I will invite you to take part in what I will begin on January 1st. Let's just say that 25's are 1/4 of what I will do everyday. *wink*
I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas, enjoy the time with your families and loved ones.
I have enjoyed this, more than just the physical part of it (although thanks to bronchitis, I will be making up the exercises from this past week during next week) ... challenging myself to keep others challenged it what I have enjoyed most! I like to use what I have learned to share with you - my friends- and help you to feel better/lose weight/whatever your fitness goal might be.
I will be blogging on a regular basis and I encourage you to check in - and keep me on task! I have a bridesmaid dress that is hanging on the back of my door that I must get into by April. I can't at this point. (well, I can, but isn't very attractive!) For those of you who have enjoyed this challenge, I will invite you to take part in what I will begin on January 1st. Let's just say that 25's are 1/4 of what I will do everyday. *wink*
I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas, enjoy the time with your families and loved ones.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Day 24 - Windmills
yes, I almost forgot!
I know several of you are pretty sore after the mountain climbers from yesterday, so this one will help stretch out those sore muscles, while working core at the same time.
Starting position: feet about shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. arms up (so your body is in the shape of an "X") lower right hand to left foot, back up to starting position. Then lower left hand to right foot, etc etc etc. Do this 25 times each side. Make sure you jog or march in place for about 30 seconds to warm up before you begin. Enjoy!!
I know several of you are pretty sore after the mountain climbers from yesterday, so this one will help stretch out those sore muscles, while working core at the same time.
Starting position: feet about shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. arms up (so your body is in the shape of an "X") lower right hand to left foot, back up to starting position. Then lower left hand to right foot, etc etc etc. Do this 25 times each side. Make sure you jog or march in place for about 30 seconds to warm up before you begin. Enjoy!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)