Health & Fitness

One of my goals for this year is to get in better physical shape. I have what I consider to be a “milestone” birthday coming up this year and I would really like to lose some weight and get fit by then.  I want to have more energy, more stamina and more overall strength. I’m happy to report that I have started getting my act together and have been exercising regularly starting this week. I know, I know…we are only four days into this week. But, I have exercised every day this week (twice on Tuesday) and that’s a great start for me. I’m excited! I’m pumped and I am feeling great about continuing this wellness and fitness trend!! Please, wish me luck. 

One cool thing is that I am not in this fitness quest alone. Mickey has been able to start running again and so far this year he has logged over 50 miles in running. (He had shin surgery last fall and has just been able to start running again this year) He is doing SO great! Also, my best friend Terri is working out each day (well, night) as well. She and I text each other when we are just about to start our work-outs and/or when we have just finished. That way we are sending encouragement to the other. And, that is awesome. Even though we are 200 miles apart, I know we’re in this together. We are uplifting and encouraging one another every step of the way. Neither one of us wants to see the other fail, so we are holding up our own end of things so that it helps the other to remain strong. It’s just incredible, really. 

The work-outs I am doing most often right now are Biggest Loser Boot Camp and Biggest Loser Weight-Loss Yoga. Both of those are GREAT work-outs. If you think that yoga can’t be a great work out, try this dvd and you’ll know differently. Granted, the Boot Camp is more intense in some ways, but I will say that I break a sweat and feel the muscles working in yoga as well. I highly recommend these two dvds!! I have also done the first segment of Jillian Michaels’ Body Shred and – WHEW- that was tough. It was a great work out, but I did it on Tuesday evening after I had done yoga in the afternoon and it just about flattened me. I guess it’s obvious that I am desperately in need of getting into better shape, right? Well, I’m on my way!! I’m doing it!! And, it feels GREAT!!

It’s a GORGEOUS spring morning here! Both girls are at preschool this morning, so I decided that the house-cleaning could wait and I went out for a great walk this morning. I took my sweet little hot pink iPod shuffle and set out on a walk. I wound up going longer and farther than I had intended to do when I first set out, but it felt GREAT! I walked just over 2.5 miles in 40 minutes. Certainly not the quickest pace ever, but still pretty decent considering the hilly terrain around here. 😉 I’m home now and I’m pumped. What a great way to start the day!

Last week I posted about the One Month Weight Loss Challenge I am participating in online. Well, it began this past Monday. So far, so good!

I’m following Weight Watchers again because I love the program and I know it works! What inspires me the most about Weight Watchers is that it is NOT a diet, it’s a lifestyle change. I know that sounds sort of cliched to say, but it’s true. It’s not a diet because on the Flex Plan, I can eat anything I want to as long as I account for the Points. This means that breads, sweets, etc. aren’t off-limits. YAY! It’s been an adjustment reducing my daily caloric intake, but I know that the first several days are the most difficult for me and I’m hanging in there.

I’m also increasing my water in-take and that has been another challenge for me, but it’s a challenge I’m happy to say that I’m meeting head-on. I am not a water drinker by nature, but I am getting better about it. Yesterday I bought two things that are helping with my water consumption. They are:

Brita Water Pitcher

I love this pitcher because now I can have fresh, cold water any time I want it! I had been buying cases of bottled water, but I felt pretty guilty about that because I know the plastic winds up in the landfill and takes up space there forever. So, I decided yesterday to get the Brita and reuse the plastic bottles we have around the house. It’s a great solution! This pitcher is definitely a worthy investment. For only $20, I have months of fresh water! The filters aren’t costly to replace either. Can’t beat that!

Kellogg’s All-Bran Fiber Drink Mix in Pink Lemonade

My best friend Terri told me about this drink mix and I couldn’t wait to try it. It only has 20 calories per serving and has 10 grams of dietary fiber! That means it has no Weight Watcher Points! Awesome! The best thing is that it tastes great. So, I can get my fiber and my water in one sweet package. This is one of the best new products out there if you ask me. I have been recommending it all over the place! YUM!

My first weigh-in is this coming Monday. I hope to have lost at least two pounds by then. Maybe a little more. I’m excited about this and I know the results will come as long as I exercise and stick to Weight Watchers. Again…wish me luck. 😉