March Challenge Excepted!

I have decided after much review that I am going to take on a 4 month challenge. I have had many small challenges throughout this past month but this is the BIG one! I am going to be focusing on this challenge very hard and I would love to have anyone to join me in this.

Now for the nitty gritty of the challenge! This challenge does involve money! Yes I bet now you got those ears perked up :) Well, My 27th Birthday is July 18th and I plan on actually doing something for it for the first time in...... well I can't even remember when I was able to do anything for my birthday.

Ok the details on this challenge are as follows. For every mile I do, I get $1. For every pound I lose, I get $5. Sounds awesome right? Well like every challenge their is a catch. Every time I catch myself cheating on my foods or not working out in a day, with the exception of my one rest day a week, I have to put an IOU for $10 in a jar. Then on July 14th, I get to calculate up my total I earn then the total IOU's and subtract the IOU's from the amount I earned for a total for me to spend on whatever I want to for my birthday.

So lets say I walk 200 miles from now till then, and lose 30 lbs. I will have earned $350. Then when I look in the IOU jar and lets say I have messed up 5 times. Looks like I have to give $50 of that up. Yes It still leaves me with $300 but this is how I am seeing it. If I have to give up money that I could use to buy something I really want, then that is going to hurt having to give that money up!

That is why you don't give the money up till the end. When you are getting all that money and are so happy then you look in that IOU jar and your heart sinks knowing that you have to give some up! The trick also is to see how Honest you are with not only yourself but with others. If you don't feel like wasting paper or such, You can do a jar and add a colored bead or something along that line. For every one in that jar, you have to pay up $10. So no pulling out of the jar or even not writing it down. Keep track of your Mishaps. Then after this 4 month challenge, continue it for the next 4 months and this time, focus on having lesser amounts in that IOU jar. If at the end someone says that they didn't have any in the IOU jar, I am gonna have to call your bluff. I even estimate I may mess up at least 5x in 4 months . No one is that perfect!

At the end of the 4 months, place that money you had to pay back, into another Motivation Jar for you to focus on earning that money back. This way you have a goal to work hard and try your very best! If you would like to do this with me, Sign up in the linky below and lets rock out with the March thru July Challenge.

 After you link up, please write a comment about how much you are hopping to get in that amount of time!
(If you don't feel comfortable sending in pictures, you can comment on the word each week)

Week 5 Weight Loss Update!

I admit, I have been a bit impatiant with the weight loss journey I am on. I have beaten myself up so many times cause I felt that I should have been smaller than I am by now. I mean come on, 20 inches from my whole body and only 2-3 from my stomach where I need it gone the most! I can't help but to get discouraged about it not going fast enough. Here the Dr. wants me under 55 lbs lighter by June- July and expects me to just shred this off on my own! I mean, she knows I can't afford a gym or any expensive exercise machine. So I have been pushing myself much harder than I ever thought I could. It has made me thinking. If I can lose 20 inches from my body and now be able to put on a size 22 jeans and be able to pull them off with little effort, when I was having trouble putting on a 26 when I started. I must be doing at least something right!

This week, I didn't lose any inches at all. Partly cause mother nature decided she was going to be a pain this week and made me look like I was part blow fish all week. So I know next week will be accounting for both this week and next. I did however gained 2 inches in my arms. It doesn't jiggle like it use to so maybe it has been replaced with muscle. I sure do hope so.  With this basically the start of the new month, here is to losing over 20 more inches and heading for that size 18 goal by April!

So with that being said, I decided that the harder the better, I am going to throw in more cardio workouts daily and I am going to go on a panty plurge. Meaning, a pantry make over. If it isn't good for me, it is getting packed up! If it is processed, it is going to find a new home! As long as it isn't in my kitchen where I can see it or in my fridge where the temptation is their, then I will be good!

Also after doing a bit of research, I found out if you replace your white light bulb in your fridge to a blue bulb, you will actually eat less! Shocker I know isn't it?  It is a proven fact that the blue light makes your food less appealing to you and so you won't eat it. Also, I am gonna leave the little boredom eating monster a few little notes taped up in my fridge. That will remind me to really think if I am actually hungry or am I just bored. I am even looking for a little rubber monster to stick in my fridge to remind me of him so I will stop and think before I act!

Another tip I have learned is, if you feel like you are hungry, drink a glass of water FIRST! It may be that your thirsty but your body doesn't know any other way to tell you other than to make you feel hungry! Their is something for you to think about this week. I can almost guarantee you that you are not hungry most of the time you are going to the fridge. You are either THIRSTY or BORED!

Now without further hesitation, here is week 5's progress report!

Soon I hope to have that bicycle in the background fixed so I can workout on that. The tires are bag, the chain is so rusted it will not even move, the breaks are shot, and you can see the handle bars, ect. So lots of work. Wish me luck on getting that fixed and or a new bicycle :) XOXO

Happy Mail!!!

I got my laces in today! I am like super excited! I opened up the package and squeeled so loud, it woke hubs and my son up from sleeping! I couldn't wait to put them in my shoes! Then after hubs saw the pretty pink laces, he grabbed a pair and said he might as well start trying to support somehow and puts them into his tennis shoes! I am beyond shocked! This has made my day! Here is some picture love for you guys! These pretty pink laces are a sign of me being a Sweat Pink Ambassador.

What's a Sweat Pink Ambassador you ask? Well this is how I like to put it. When I told my mother, I told her it is a like a sisterhood of wonderful ladies that make it their goal to help other ladies lose weight and get healthy. From sharing their experiences to hands on support in their neighborhoods they get involved in helping others. She replied like a sorority? In which I replied: More like a group of awesome ladies that won't let "you can't" stand in their way of fulfilling their dreams and helping others with their dreams through great exercise, eating healthy, and being tough love when you really need it the most. That is what I feel Sweat Pink is all about!

See how awesome this package is!!!!This a true honor to be able to sport these pink laces and show that I back 100% what these laces stand for! Have you Sweat Pink Lately?

SPA SISTER BLOG HOP LINKY

SPA SISTER Blog Hostess's 

Angela

Lynda

Melissa

 *It is easy to follow your fellow Team members.*

 All you have to do is click their button and it will take you right to their blog! 

(Please leave a comment with a link to your site so we can follow you in return) 

 Please visit at least 5 Team members’ blogs and comment letting them know you are a Fellow SPA Sister and are there for support and friendship! 

If you would like to host the SPA Blog Hop Link Up, Let me know via email at aphalicious@gmail.com and I will give you instructions on how to get the linky on your blog as well!

 Happy Linking SPA Sisters!

Got Algae?

I do now! Like the fish in the lake.. I am also hooked! haha :) I am reviewing the product called ENERGYbits.  When you think of the name, you probably think of little bites or protein bars or such. Well these are not your average bits. These BITS, are actually little pill size bites packed with as much good protein as you could think of.

Here is what their website says about these Little Green Bits!

"ENERGYbits are made from 100% organicallly grown spirulina algae and loaded with 40 nutrients, ENERGYbits® algae tabs have the highest concentration of protein in the world (64%) all for just one calorie per tab. Endorsed by the United Nations as the most nutritious food on earth, spirulina algae has been a favorite of Olympic gold medalists for decades and is a super food in every sense of the word, delivering instant and enduring energy to your brain and body.

ENERGYbits® algae tabs are your answer for raw energy and health. All naturally too. With just one calorie per tab, ENERGYbits® will stop your cravings, slay your hunger and give you a steady stream of energy all day or night. They may even make you want to leap over tall buildings in a single bound, but we think that’s best left to the guys in the red capes and blue tights.  Remarkably, our ENERGYbits® have just one ingredient, spirulina algae which is a super hero in the world of super foods. Spirulina’s nutritional pedigree is so impressive that The World Bank, NASA and Olympic athletes have all declared spirulina to be the most nutritious food in the entire world. Why? Well for starters, it effortlessly and naturally boosts your energy like an energy drink, energy bar or coffee  but without the downside of chemicals, caffeine, calories or sugar and gram per gram, there is no denser source of nutrition than spirulina algae. Research done by NASA showed that that 1 kg of spirulina had the nutritional  equivalent of 1000 kg of fruits and vegetables.  That's a  lot of groceries! But if an endorsement by NASA isn’t enough to convince you of the health benefits you’ll get from our ENERGYbits® and spirulina, consider that many International Health Organizations including the United Nations have hailed spirulina as one of the “Greatest Superfoods on Earth.” Don’t worry if you haven’t heard about this super food yet. You will. It may be virtually unknown in America but for the last 50 years, millions worldwide have taken it to improve their energy. Now it’s your turn. "

Now for my review!

Now that you know a little bit about this product, let me tell you how my experience with these went!
When I got these in the male and opened the envelope, their was 3 pages and 3 cards along with a little tin. Once I started reading about these bits, I couldn't wait to open them.

At first, I was taken back how green they smelled. Smelled kinda yummy but you could definitely tell their was algae. My husband said it smelled like fish food but he thinks anything healthy is not worth his time! So I took 10 out of the tin as I wasn't sure if I could swallow the recommended dose of 30-40. Within about 5-10 min I could feel the energy! I had more energy than if I downed a case of soda and three 5 hour energies! I was going EVERYWHERE! It was actually kinda funny cause when hubs saw it, he actually told me he is restricting me to only 5 a day to keep me from bouncing off the walls. *giggles*

I had to do the E with the bits. It was only fitting :)

When they say this gives you energy, they are right. Who could have thought little bits like this could give you such great energy with no crashing? I took 8 by swallowing and 2 by chewing. They kinda have like a nutty flavor to them. Personally I like them but it is an acquired taste. Just like sushi and calamari. It is one of those you have to try it and if you don't like it, you can always swallow it. You can use this to add to your meal for extra protein, before your workouts or in the morning for an all out day of energy. With 1 Calorie a tablet.. Who can beat that?

As you all know I do let you guys know the price of the products I test. So below I have copied their pricing information for you to see.

Packaging: Price is for a re-seal able foil bag of 1,000 tabs and includes a matching, refillable travel tin.

$115.00

 

Yes kinda a bite on the wallet at first but you get 1,000 tabs that you take approximately 30 tabs at a time. That is around $3 a day. You are looking at one full month of ENERGYbits. So totally worth it. Especially when you try to find anything with as much health values as this does.  These do have to be put in the freezer to keep them fresh. then daily you fill up your tin with bits and be on your way.  Can you honestly tell me that you can get anything else at the store with that much protein and minerals for $3? You can't! I mean, 64% protein and 30 tabs gives you your daily dose of protein! It sounds like a win win right their! Read below on the other nutritional values this product has.

 Image from the ENERGYbits Website

 This product was awesome to review. I loved the energy and the over all healthiness of this product. If this sounds like something you would like to try, you can visit them at http://www.energybits.com/

You will not be dissapointed :) 

Hugs everyone and I really hope you enjoyed my review!

 

Who LOVES Socks? INJINJI Review!

 injinji

When I got these in the mail, I was so excited! I have always wanted to try compression socks and Finally I was able to. I opened up the package and reached in and found 2 extra  soft pair of socks. I couldn't wait to put them on! 

I slipped my feet into them and put my toes where they needed to go and talk about wow! My feet felt like they were in the clouds. Their is just enough tightness in these socks to make them a true compression sock but not too tight that they are uncomfortable. I slipped my shoes on and took off for a jog. Normally when I do this, my feet hurt after about 30 min. One doctor says I have Plantar Fascistic one says I am just to big to be running. With these, I had very little swelling like I always seem to have and my feet didn't hurt! I am sold! These socks are AMAZING! Their is no other word I could give these socks.

The website says they Allow your toes to align and splay naturally while being protected from blisters. The unique five toe sleeve design and light breathable moisture wicking fabric will allow you to enjoy a cool, natural run in any shoe. 

They are right. My feet felt much better than they normally do in regular socks. They are stylish too :) I mean come on. Who doesn't like some comfy toe socks? At $10 a pair, their is no way you can find great quality compression socks like these ANYWHERE! 

The Run socks Feature a second- skin fit which ideal fro runners and anyone who wants the benefit of minimum weight for maximum protection and performance. 
WHILE
The Trail is engineered for the uneven and unpredictable terrain of trail running. (which me being in the hill country of Texas, these are perfect!) With a double elastic cuff to keep dirt out and hold the sock in place. 

The tabs on the back of these socks are such a great idea. Most no show socks get lost in your shoes and you are left digging in your shoe to find the heel when it falls into your shoe. Which it always does! These tabs along with the snug fit around the ankles keeps that from happening! They are a runner/ joggers best friend! I am so glad I got the opportunity to review these socks. They are 100% the best socks I have placed on my feet. I would seriously recommend these to all the runners and hikers out their!


(these thoughts are of my own and not of INJINJI. These are from my personal experience with the product above)

Awesomely Sweat Pink Awesomness!

That is right guys! You are looking at a new Sweat Pink Ambassador! I applied to be a Fit Approach Sweat Pink Ambassador and I got the awesome email letting me know that I am a new Sweat Pink Ambassador!! As soon as I got the email, I literally screamed and jumped up and danced around my living room. Then I opened up the doors and ran around out back 10 laps around the yard and then 10 burpees! I am so excited all I wanna do is workout and jump around the house! This email is doing awesome for my weight loss journey. I have since then, cleaned both my kids room, cleaned my bathroom and kitchen! Oh yeah I am that exited!

So due to all the excitement, I am going to do myself my own workout challange today. If you wanna join me then you can. I will do the following:
 10 Burpees
 10 min jog
 10 Jack knife Crunches
 10 Step out lunges on each side
 10 crickets

Here's to an awesome workout and a huge thanks to the awesome Sweat Pink Sisterhood!

Week 4 Update!

Okay, I know I shouldn't have wore green in this picture cause it makes me look much bigger and you can see lots more fat but these pictures are not to show how good I look. They are to show how bad I look. Then the pictures will get better as I get healthier.

These past 4 weeks have been really hard for me but I will get better. When you start a Weight Loss journey you aren't expected to know everything. It is a learn as you go. Everyone's body is totally different. What works for one, may not work for another. My biggest issue is drinking enough water and then with all that has gone on these past few weeks, the 100% healthy aspect of it. I have found myself eating breads and starches when I know I don't need to.  So I know I still have to work on it but I am trying. Well, I think I have made you guys wait long enough. Here is week 4 weight loss.

If you look in the about me, you will see what I looked like at the beginning of these journey and you can tell the difference. ( lbs down and over 20 inches total from my body! I am very very proud of myself :) 4 weeks of hard work paying off. Now to get the stress factor gone and the busy distractions and I will be set :) 

Fitness Advice!

No matter how much you lose or how much you work out, as long as you are getting off the couch and working on it, you are doing wonderful! If you are in a rut or have plateaued then switch up your exercise and really look at what you are putting in your body. The biggest advice I could give anyone is to write down everything that passes your lips. Then at the end of the week, look over what you are eating and then you can fix what the problem is!

Finally, remember you are not alone in this journey. If you think you are, just come to me or any other fitness blogger who is trying to lose weight and we will be their with you. To help give pointers on what seemed to work for us and to help spread the things we have learned from our mentors! Good luck everyone and Congrats for making the  life changing choice to better your life and health. If you feel like you are slipping, reach up and we will all be here to catch you and pull you back up. We will help you on the path to a healthier you :) (we as in the fitness community)

Compression Question :)

Ok After seeing awesome reviews on awesome compression sleeves for you arms and legs, I got curious! So I did a little bit of research and found out I can make compression arm sleeves out of footless tights. Well I am a crafty mom so I am all into trying to do this.

First, you take a pair of Tights/legging and you fold them in half so one side of the waist is touching the other and both legs are one on top the other. Then cut 3 inches from the top of the waist band off.  Then slide one arm in a leg and then reach behind your back for the other and insert your arm. You may need to cut a bit more around the neck to make it wider. Once you do, even out the back and then throw on your favorite shirt to add a little extra kick to your workout! I am so going to do this and then show you guys the results! This should be awesome! This is the video link (blogspot wouldn't let me embed it) I watched so you can see how it is done too :) I hope you guys enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=A01BnOzkNRI&feature=fvwp

Pretty Muddy Team Name Suggestions!

I am getting ready to register for the awesome Pretty Muddy Mud Run. Well, I am needing a group name that way we an all wear something the same. I guess I am kinda scared to join a pre-excisting group cause I am scared I will be left behind with how big I am and it being my first run. So I am trying to come up with an awesome team name that will make others doing a run for the first time be like "Hey I wanna be in this group!" I had come up with a few names but then everyone tells me they are stupid. The names I thought of were.

Mama's with Tough Tata's
Camo Cuties
Dirty Diva's
Muddy Mama's
Muddy Maidens
Tough Tata Mama's
Polkadot Pinkies
Just Pink It
Pony Tails in Mud Trails
Tough Pretty's
 Heartbreakers
Darling Divas
 Blissful Babe's

These are just a few. I am up to any suggestions! If you see one up top you like or have an awesome idea, please feel free to leave me a comment below!

Tabata Cardio and Upper Body!

Okay, this is start of Day 2 video's! This post will focus on a new workout style that has High Intensity workouts with short periods of rest in between. A lot of Tabata workouts are, for example, 20-10 in set up. This meaning 20 seconds High intensity followed by 10 seconds of rest. This is then repeated 8 times through the whole workout for a total of 20 min. So this workout is sure to get your heart rate up and your body into over drive! The following video is focusing on your upper body. My last video was focused on the Bottom and the lower body. Now, I will show you a video of some awesome Upper Body/ Cardio. It incorporates Tabata with a cardio workout. For a more rounded work out!

Feel free to leave your comments below. I love getting feedback and to hear what you guys think and want to see. Don't forget to follow along so you can get more fitness video's and hear more about my transformation as it happens! Enjoy!

I was actually introduced this style workout while attending #fit2013 on twitter and have fell in love with it! I feel more burn with this workout circuit than I have with the workouts I have been doing! I Highly recommend though while you are doing these workouts, to have plenty of water available! These opinions are of my own and from my personal experience. Most know, I am not easily bought. I will tell you if I don't like something and yet, I love this. I actually feel more burn with this and soreness after that I haven't felt in a bit! So I personally do these workouts. I would not post them if I, myself, haven't tried them. I hope you like!

Work out of the day!

After reading some of the emails, I got a link from one of my friends saying this would be a great way to help others and keep myself motivated. Well here goes. I will embed a link to a 10 min workout for all of you to enjoy :)

With yesterday being my Bump the Hump day, I figured it would be awesome to post a workout that involves a workout that will help with the bump and finally kick that fat that has taken up shop in your trunk, gone for good! I personally do most of these daily now with my workouts and I LOVE it!

If you like what you are seeing and reading, I would absolutely LOVE for you to follow along. You can either follow via the button on the left or via emails. Your choice :) I am very thankful to all of my followers and supporters. You keep me greatly motivated and on track. I owe you guys and these workouts are not only for me, they are for you guys too. Without you guys, I may have fallen off the band wagon a long time ago. THANK YOU!

Run Run As fast as you can.... Challenge

That is absolutely true when you are trying to lose weight. With me training to do my 1st 5k... I am running a lot! Shhh, the Dr. said no running but never said I couldn't jog *snickers* So with less than 4 months till the race, I still have to lose 50 lbs. I know this will be majorly hard but I am determined to do it! Hubs was given a bicycle so when he doesn't use it, I will. Talk about getting my early morning workouts :) No way am I gonna sit by and let the fat take over me. Not anymore. When I stepped on the scale and saw I had gained and haven't lost any inches, I got mad. Now it is time for me to say goodbye flab and hello size 7. At this point, I don't care what I have to do as long as it is healthy and I get my weight to what I need to get it at. Starting with getting some old tractor tires for me to flip and rope ladders for me to to run :)

I will lose weight! I will not back down! I don't care who laughs at me by what I wear when I work out. Jeans or not Sweat is in and fat is out! Who is with me?  If you are all in... Reply in the comments FLAB BE GONE, HELLO SEXY SWEAT!!!

CHALLENGE!!!!!!


On Top of the other week challenge, I want to challenge you to a run off! The run off challenge is pretty simple. I would love for you guys to start this week by running or walking 5 miles total in this week. Then next week, I want you to crank it up and walk/run 7 1/2 miles. Then week 3 I want you to crank it up to an awesome 10 miles either walked or run.  So by the end of the month, we all will have walked 22 1/2 miles. Yeah it seems Like a lot but when you are trying to lose weight and actually look at it, week one is less than a mile a day. The last week is less than 2 a day. Not really much if you ask me. These are to go on top of your other workouts. I know working out can be hard in this time of a lot of your busy schedules, but look at it as you being able to have some me time. Getting in touch with your inner self! Not only will you feel better in the end, but running/walking is a great stress reliever! Who doesn't need that :) Post your comments and replies below to tell me what you think!

Krave Jerky Review!

 KRAVE JERKY REVIEW!!!

Once I opened the mail and saw this box of yummies, I was So excited.  For the first time, I could actually pronounce all of the ingredients. With the health benefits like these, No wonder why these are so wonderful! From their Sweet Pineapple Orange that taste like the orange chicken you get at a Chinese restaurant, to the lime chili which takes you back to some beach in Cancun. Krave Jerky Has it! I am the kind of girl that hates to put anything in my mouth if I can't read what it has in it! I know I am weird but it is the way I see it. Their are so many bad things in the foods we eat today. Lots, aren't even healthy to intake but these food places get away from putting them in our foods we eat. Like Wax, and bleach even. Would you open a bottle of bleach or spoon up wax from a candle and eat put that in your mouth? Then why put it in your body by the foods you eat?

 It is not something you will not find at the grocery store and it is $7 a bag. Yes I understand you are probably thinking how you can go to the store and get a bag of Jerky for $4 but, if you actually look at the bag you are getting, it is only half full. Also if you read the ingredients, you will see a lot of things that you can't even try to pronounce.  If you can't pronounce it,what really makes you think it is even healthy for you? This jerky has very simple ingredients that are not a mile long.

For example, The Grilled Smoked Teryaki,  has the following Ingredients and nutritional facts:

Ingredients: Pork, sugar, sorbitol, corn syrup, gluten free soy sauce (water, soybeans, rice, salt), soybean oil with citric acid, salt, michiu rice wine, spices.
Allergen: soy
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size 1oz (28g)
Servings per container 3.25
Amount per serving
Calories 70
Calories from Fat 15
% Daily Value

• Total Fat 1.5g 2%
• Saturated Fat .0g 0%
• Trans Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 15mg 5%
• Sodium 180mg 8%
• Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
• Dietary Fiber 0g
• Sugars 8g
• Protein 5g 10%
• Vitamin A 0%
• Vitamin C 0%
• Calcium 0%
• Iron 2%

Percentage Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher
or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Chili Lime- Ingredients: Beef, soy sauce (water, soybeans, wheat, salt), corn syrup, chili sauce (chili, garlic, vinegar, sugar and salt), sugar, chili lime seasoning (modified corn starch, maltodextrin, sugar, spices, salt, corn syrup solids, citric acid, onion, garlic, paprika, natural flavors, extractive of paprika, lime oil, silicon dioxide), soybean oil, salt, chili pepper, potato starch, natural lemon emulsion (water, lemon oil, vegetable gum, citric acid, sodium benzoate as preservative and natural flavors), citric acid, lime concentrate, spices.
Allergen: soy, wheat
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size 1oz (28g)
Servings per container 3.25
Amount per serving
Calories 50
Calories from Fat 15
% Daily Value

• Total Fat 1.5g 2%
• Saturated Fat 0g 0%
• Trans Fat 0g
• Cholesterol 10mg 3%
• Sodium 290mg 12%
• Total Carbohydrate 3g 1%
• Dietary Fiber 0g
• Sugars 2g
• Protein 7g 14%
• Vitamin A 4%
• Vitamin C 80%
• Calcium 0%
• Iron 6%

Percentage Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher
or lower depending on your calorie needs.

• NUTRITION FACTS
  • KRAVE Jerky is a high-protein, low-calorie snack product
  • Devoid of any nitrates, hormones and artificial flavors, all-natural KRAVE Jerky has an elevated conscious, using lean cuts of domestic meat and all-natural, gourmet ingredients
  • KRAVE Jerky has been deemed heart healthy by the American Heart Association
  • KRAVE Jerky minimizes empty calories and excessive sodium, while also serving as an excellent source of zinc, iron and B vitamins
  • KRAVE Jerky allows you to feel full without overdoing fat, calorie and carbohydrate intake
  • Due to its recipes, meat selection and proprietary cooking process, KRAVE's products are materially lower in salt (50-70%), cholesterol (50-70%) and calories (15-70%) than its major competitors and are 97% fat free.
  • KRAVE Jerky contains primarily monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats have several beneficial effects when eaten in place of saturated fats or trans-fats, mainly reducing levels of bad cholesterol in the blood and lowering risk of heart disease and stroke. Such fats are also typically high in vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin that is lacking in the typical American diet
  • Elite athlete Vito Bialla, the only person ever to complete a six-day back-to-back Double Ultraman (a back-to-back Iron Man triathalon) in 63 hours, depends on KRAVE Jerky for healthy high-protein, low-calorie snacking
   

Week 3 Doldrums

Yeah, that is right, I have hit the 3 week doldrums. All week I have worked my bottom off and when I measured myself today and weighted in.. I was shocked to the point of wanting to cry!

As you can see from the graph above, I have been working my tushy off. Majorly! Well, I haven't lost any inches this week and actually gained 2 lbs! I am so on the verge of crying! I am confused and don't understand! With my def. I should be at least 2 lbs lighter. Not heavier! I guess next week, I got to bump up my game to 90 min of working out a day instead of the 60 I upped it to this past week. Talking about being sore this week :) But hey I need to lose the weight and get healthier. With me not allowed to run now, after the Dr. gave me the go ahead, 2 weeks later she changed it, I now have to do a brisk walk or run in place at home. I guess this is where the soccer will come into play. Tech, you are not running all the time but you are working out your whole body AND walking too :) Especially with me teaching my kids how to play :) I am not only goalie for one goal but both so I run back and forth between the 2 to keep them from scoring. Well, I let them score but make them think I am trying to block them most of the time. At times I do block it to help improve their skills :)


If you see what I am doing wrong, please tell me! I need to learn what I am doing wrong so I can fix it!

This is my week 2 pictures. I am not wearing the belt this pic so you can really see my weight gain :( I will not allow myself to be bigger than I am so I will do ANYTHING to lose this weight.

Hit hard where it hurts

Today I found out the hard way the effects of working out on someone who suffers from severe depression.  When a person who is depressed, works out, they become in a happier mood. Less depressive moments and they seem to be more happier. Well, as I have explained in the about me section of my blog, and in a few other posts, I do suffer from depression, PTSD, and a few other problems. Well today was my rest day. Normally, I take a half day rest day and seem to be ok. Not today. Today I thought to try a full day rest day. It turned into a depression NIGHTMARE!

It was a rainy day so we were all inside. One moment I am all good then I got very anxious and couldn't sit still. Then it hit me, and hit me hard. The next thing I know, I was being pulled up to my feet by my husband as I sat their on my knees crying due to the fact that I felt like a horrible mother. My children would NOT listen to me for the life of me and then my youngest daughter came to me upset and crying cause she was talking to her sister about something that happened at school and her sister told her to come tell me. Well, these kids have been bullying her at school. Pushing her, pulling her hair, and calling her names. Then when she starts crying, they start talking bad about me and the rest of her family. This I didn't know at all. I knew of a few times I got her from school to witness kids pushing her in the back as they walked out. I confronted the teacher and the principal about it as soon as I saw it.

It is so bad, she found a pair of scissors in the bathroom of her school, and she hid them in her pocket. Then, when she got to class, she put them in her jacket and then in her backpack. Knowing I would check her backpack itself when she got home. As soon as she got home, she removed her coat and handed me her back pack. I didn't think anything of it till today. When she came to me crying, her sister had stopped her before she did anymore that she did, but she had cut her hair. Just a little in the front and about an inch from a section of the back.

She thought if she cut her hair off, they would think she was pretty again and stop talking bad to her. How could I have missed this was going on? How could I have not stepped in sooner and tried to protect my 6 yr old from this? She is very VERY beautiful. She is also very very sweet and loving and all the adults who meet her agree. Why are kids so cruel to such a beautiful soul? I mean her hair is read with dark red low lights and blonde high lights. She has the hair people pay to get. Oh, and the most beautiful blue eyes. Wow, they will take your breath away. She has the same color I have but she sports them much better than I could ever dream of.

I mean look at her! All my kids are beautiful, but look at her. You can just look at her and see how beautiful she is and how great of a heart she has. So why would they do this to her. I couldn't take it, I wrapped my arms around her and held her crying with her telling her how beautiful she is and always will be. We must have been their for 30 min before she stopped and went to play. I on the other hand, broke. It was the straw that broke the camel's back so to say. I couldn't stop crying. It was like everything hit me and was breaking me to the point of me having no strength to fight back.

My all time biggest fear is losing my children. They are what keep me going daily. Without them, I would have no reason to wake up. The thought of one of them being so badly hurt to the point, she wanted to do that at such a young age, made me feel I was losing my baby girl. It felt that if she is feeling this bad now, what would happen in middle school and high school? I remember the Hell high school was. I remember all of the bad names and getting bullied to the point I had to go to the hospital just because this girl needed someone to take her anger out on and I was just in the way. She bashed my head into the lockers 12 times and if it wasn't for me getting away and going and sitting outside the coaches office till he came out and saw my ears were bleeding and called the ambulance, she wouldn't have stopped.

I don't want that happening to my kids. Monday, I will be going to the School and demanding results and actions being taken. If not, I will do whatever I have too to save up the money to get all of them into a private school. I have priced them and they are like 18k-25k for the ones locally for them all to go to one next yr. If ANYONE has any info on grants and such I can apply for to get them into a private school, PLEASE PLEASE, let me know. I won't have my daughter bullied and the school not do anything about it. The first time it happened I did nothing in hopes the teacher would take care of it. The second time, I stood up and brought it to their attention. Now, I am one mad momma!

The point is, with how much I have been working out this week, I doubt it would have hit me as hard as it did. For 3 weeks of no real depressive feelings and the one day I rest, I melted down. I don't want to EVER feel that vulnerable again! So after consulting a friend, I took a 2 hr walk around Walmart. I felt a little better. For years I have felt like crud and swore to not let myself feel that way again. Today was a Huge wake up call for me. No more full day rest days for me. I know now with my depression and others, I need to continue to be active even if it is just a walk, on my rest days.

So my words of advice to any mother, sister, wife, daughter, or anyone else. If you have depression, take a bit of time to work out daily. No matter what it is. a walk, playing with family, or just getting a little bit active. It helps a huge amount! No matter rain or shine, working out makes a world of difference!

Relaxation day..... "Pull My Hair Out Day"

Have you ever set a relaxation day and had the hardest time doing it? Or have you ever set a relaxation day and all you got was stressed? Well that's how my day is so far. The kids are acting up badly and not listening, and with me having issues sitting down this day is so hard to do. I have always had issues sitting still so this is very hard for me. So, I am trying my hardest to enjoy my rest day.  I guess it is just that I am so anxious to lose weight and want so much to get to my target that it is really hard for me to sit still.

Looks like i need to go do laundry and make the beds and clean to keep me busy. I am one that if not kept busy, I will go crazy! So the rest days are very hard for me. So I am going to go clean house and try to keep myself busy so I don't pull my hair out lol.

My leg workout!

I decided today I would post my leg workout. After trying my hardest to figure out a way to work my legs without doing lunges (my knees give out on me a lot when I do them) I decided to do leg lifts by placing my 4lb med. ball between my feet and lifting then did it with the 10 lb. kettle bell which was really really hard do to it's shape. But I will focus today more on getting the workout done with what I have then anything else.

Today I felt bummed cause not only has the scale not moved in over a week but I haven't noticed any inch loss either. I am like super bummed out. Anyone know how to help me out of the rut? I have been working out a lot and keeping between my 1200-1500 cal intake but the pedometer says I still have an 8k cal deficient. due to my workouts. I need help!

Music!

I added a new music player to the left hand side of my blog. Hope you guys like it :) Starting soon, I will add a new list to daily posts for you to workout with if you chose to. The music I have in their now is just a sample of what is to come! If you like it, let me know. If you want to hear a certain tune, let me know too. I will add it to the lists.

The New and Impoved Weekly Work Out Plan!

Okay after doing the sporadic workouts these past few weeks, I decided that I will add a little more structure to my workouts! So I have come up with a set exercise program that focuses mainly on 1 main set of targeted body areas. What does this mean you ask? It means like for one day I will focus on like core, or bum or legs. Yep that’s right! So adding to the running and such I do daily, I will toss in a targeted area workout to go with it! So I have planned carefully and decided that...... Here is my new schedule.

Monday: Rock Bottom Body!

Tuesday: Pump Up the Guns!

Wednesday: Jump the Bump!

Thursday: Toning With the Girls!

Friday: She's Got Legs!

Saturday: Peaceful Rest!

Sunday: Family Fitness!

Confused yet? Well let me clarify some of it up for you! Okay unlike some of these other blogs that state exactly what they are doing, I wanted to be different and give them some creative names. So here is the breakdown of the code if you haven't gotten it yet?

Monday’s Rock Bottom Body is a cute name for a lower body exercise. This day I will focus on my core and my entire lower body for a more stability and fat burning. Your lower body is extremely important. It is the power house of your body!!! It is what helps you digest your food, and for a lot of us ladies, it is where all the extra baggage seems to collect. From those donuts you had this morning to the pasta you have at night. All of it seems to get caught up between your midsection and our lower body.  Which is why the expression of “you are what you eat" comes into play. So if you eat lots of donuts, you will have a lower body that looks like you have a few dozen donuts taking up shop.  No one wants the muffin tops or the Donut thighs. Not at all!!!

Tuesday’s Pump up the guns is my Arm workout day. On top of my other workouts, I will add extra workouts to target just my arms to help get them fit and toned! This day will be a combination of kettle bell and medicine ball workouts along with resistance band curls to target all of my arms.

Wednesday's Jump the Bump is a focused exercise that targets getting rid of the extra junk in my trunk. Lol. For a more firm and toned rear end. This day I will also focus on the mid core area. The reason for this day is fairly simple. Without a strong core, your body will be entirely out of balance. Your core is what helps you keep your balance. Over all if you have a strong core, you will have less pain while working out due to your body being more aligned.

Thursday's Toning with the girls is basically an upper body workout. Focusing on the girls and the entire upper body. This day will focus from my upper core to my shoulders and everything in between. If you don't focus on toning up your girls and this area, especially us women, will increase our risk of breast cancer and back problems in the future. So this area is extremely important area to focus on.

Friday's She's Got Legs is just like it sounds. It is my leg workouts. This is a day I will focus on my strengthening and toning my legs for a more efficient and productive work out! Your legs are the base of your body, your root so to say. Meaning that without your legs working properly and healthy, you will end up having serious problems. You need your legs to walk and to run. Without them moving around unassisted becomes very difficult to do. So why not spend a day focusing on getting those legs sexified and not looking like you got caught in a jello filled hail storm.

Saturday's Peaceful Rest is just like it sounds. This day I will sit back and relax and focus on the mind part of my workout while allowing my body to recoup and recover for the previous workouts. We all need our days of rest. Some more than others. With me being a SAHM of 3, any time I get to myself is rejuvenating. As many of you other mom's know, when you have kids, your ME time becomes US time.  Well today, I want you all to take a little more MOMMY or ME time. Either by taking a 5 min longer shower. Or when your spouse gets home, have him tend to everything and take you even a 15 min soak in a nice warm bath with the door shut. Turn you on some of your favorite jams and Slip down in to some relax time. Even if you have to crank up the volume to drown out the kids. If you don't have that luxury of having someone to help, tonight, put those kids to bed 30 min earlier and then slip into a nice warm bath followed by some Plain popcorn and your favorite movie. Or Make it a pajama day. If you have nowhere to go, get on the comfiest and make a day out it. If you have kids, make it like an all-day slumber party. Do nails and eat popcorn while watching a good movie. These things your kids WILL remember when they get older and will pass onto their kids. Don't you wish you had more family time when you were younger?

Sunday is going to be my absolute FAVORITE workout day of all the days. This is the day I get to do a fun day at the park walking, running, and having absolute fun with my children. Either at the park or if the weather is not so good, in home workouts. Getting my kids involved and focusing on teaching them how to eat healthy and be healthy. Teaching them how their good choices will result in a good healthy body and mind! I don't want my kids ending up like me. Depressed all the time and looking in the mirror and thinking to them self like "Maybe people are right, I am a ugly", or doing unthinkable things to them self like drugs or worse things to them self, or worse them injuring them self because all they see is what is on the outside and not what is within. So I am going to take this full day to teach my children more in depth on how to eat healthy and the importance of exercise. I don't know about you but when I work out with my kids and hear them say "good Job" or "we did it" and seeing them smile at their accomplishments means more to me than anything else in this world. No diamond’s or riches will ever amount to seeing and hearing that. 

Yes I know a lot of these you are probably saying to yourself that, well the ones I do for one also do the other. Well, that is correct. That's why each day, if you notice, focuses on multiple so no matter what those areas will get targeted for a maximum workout!

With that being said, I will pass on this challenge to you. Take my challenge for 3 full weeks and then come back and leave your comments on how it helped you or didn't. I would love your opinions.

Ok that is enough reading and writing for today... Off to a new body and a new me!