Weigh out at the gym…

Well it turned out to be 7 lbs for this month. Not terrible, not grand but $7.00 off this month membership dues, I can handle that. Before 7:00 this morning I had jogged 2.25 miles, rode 4.5 miles and then 20 vertical sit-ups with a 4 lb medicine ball. I ran out of time, had to be back here at 7:45 bright eyed and smelling…well not like the gym. A good morning so far. The kids want to go swimming. Not sure if it’ll be today but I’ll take them this week for sure.

Time for some breakfast. Gotta see what’s on the menu. I have to print out this week’s menu and go from there.

Just a quick post this morning. Take care my friends and God Bless!!

It’s official…

50 lbs lost. 14 months, 60.5 weeks, 424 days, 10176 hours working on losing this weight. Not perfect, not on plan every single day, not even every single week but still working hard. I know it could of been more if I had followed something religiously but I think for me I am learning as I go. This was never a diet, this was a way of life. Learning to eat in regular people size portions, not binging, refraining from eating the things that I know aren’t good. Learning to eat more healthy. Learning that sugar is not a must. Learning salad may be for bunnies but it’s good for me too. Wheat flour is not bad, wheat pasta and brown rice aren’t tasteless. Learning that the things that taste good can be made healthy and taste just as good if not better. Learning to fix chicken, rabbit, squirrel, pig, cow, deer, buffalo and turtle in possible ways to make it healthy, in normal portions.

I have also learned exercise is my friend. I don’t hate it anymore. In fact I look forward to it. Tokay is a great example. I got Jim and Mike up and could of gone back to bed, in fact had planned on it. I worked out last night. I didn’t have to be any place until 10:00 but I got dressed and headed to the gym. I walked/jogged/ran 5 miles and I did the weight circuit. I was there for an hour and a half and not once looked at the clock to see when I could go home, I just did it.

It is possible to get to liking what is good for you, it just takes time, energy and patience.

Now I can’t take all the credit for this work I’ve done. Allan has been my biggest motivator. His plans, his thoughts, his ideas is what’s helping me learn all of this. Thank you Allan, from the bottom of my heart thank you! I also have so many blog buddies that encourage me, help me along, give me love and support when I need it. A kick in the butt when I need it.

So my next goal, well it’s the wedding dress but I did a sneak dressing and I do not think it’s going to be possible for it to fit me beautifully by my anniversary. Oh it’ll go on but it won’t look like it did when I got married. I know, I’m not going to have an 18 year old body. I have had a baby, I have driven a truck, hauled the elder around, baked, cooked, farmed and much more and my body is different. I will put it on for our anniversary, I will take pictures to share with you and I will move on.

So it’s onwards and upwards. 100 days left of Allan’s Phase 5 Challenge. 160 lbs by June 5th. Possible according to Allan and his team of experts. I’ll give it my best. In real life I have just wanted to be 175 lbs, in all that I’ve done that is the weight I’d be happy at but 160, that sounds pretty darn awesome.

Take care my friends and have a blessed day. A new week, new challenges and a chance to be just a bit healthier.

Have you looked at this?

This isn’t the best graph I’ve found but it’s the only one I was able to copy and paste unto my blog. If you’d like to have it figured out to the penny go here to the Free BMI Calculator. Or here too.

my Input
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 183 pounds
Result
Your BMI index is 29.5, indicating your weight is in the overweight category for adults of your height. I am in the 60th percent tile. That means I’m 10% heavier then most women my age.

When I started my life style journey, 14 months ago I was 230 lbs at 37.1 BMI. Very obese now just overweight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m going to be 49 in 55 days. I am going to be the healthiest and most physically fit I’ve been in most of my adult life. I have a ways to go but I’m getting there.

Follow a plan, any plan, one that helps you get on track, stay on track and lose the weight. Your body will love you for it, your family will have you longer to love you for it and you, yourself will love you for it.

Take care my friends, have a blessed weekend.

P.S. Other good sites….Target Heart Rate…Body Fat Calculator…

I FINISHED!!!

In 17 days at my gym, I completed our mini triathlon. I finished up the biking tonight. 112 miles on the bike, 26.2 miles of running and 90 laps in the pool. Each time I was there I didn’t just do these things either, I would do the weight circuit. The only thing I have done more then required was the jogging/running. I have put on an additional 15 miles.

With that being said, I have only lost 2 lbs this month. I use my fitnesspal to calculate my calories each and every day and I am always at or near 1200 every day. With my working out I burn 1100 calories 4 times a week and each time myfitnesspal says I’m not getting enough calories but I’m sticking with Allan's plan. 1200 calories a day, 128 oz or more of water a day, my exercise plan on days I go to the gym and his exercises on the days I don’t go (except Sundays, that is not an exercise day). I know the science says I should be dropping these last 15-20 lbs like nothing but they are glued on better then hair on a dog. Can it be I am building muscle and it weighs more then my fat and the scale is showing that? I know that I’ve lost 5 3/4” of fat so my body is changing for the better.

I don’t know, I don’t understand but there is one thing…well really more then one thing, I am proud of and it’s me and what I have done. Any month you start out at one weight and end at a lesser weight is a good month. This month not a fantastic month though I do have one more weigh in on Sunday.

I know Allan said “With 102 days or so left, plenty of room for people to pop in. No cuts this Phase, although there will be shame coming on Sunday if things are not better. Julie, Sarah, Laryssa, Jen,,,,ya feeling me yet...”  I have nothing to be ashamed of, I am doing my best and will continue.

I have two more workouts for this month, tomorrow morning and Monday very early for my weigh-out at my gym. I would of taken a 10 lb loss month gladly since that would of been $10.00 of next months dues but any loss is a loss.

Take care my friends and have the most awesome, relaxing, rejuvenating and blessed weekend possible.

Wow, it’s Thursday…

I didn’t realize I hadn’t posted since last Saturday. Sorry about that guys. I’ve been doing excellent this week. That scale had better say something nice to me on Sunday but if not, I still know I’m doing exactly what I’m suppose to so eventually it will.

I have 4 more days until my weigh out at the Hallett. I checked on their scale and it said about 5 pounds gone so hopefully with another couple more I can take $7-8.00 off of next months membership fee. That would be fantastic.

I have been working harder and harder at the gym. I’m up to 15 miles on the bike, it does take me 3 – 20 minute slots to do it but I’m happy. I have been doing all the weight circuit and have upped all my weights anywhere from 5-10 lbs a machine. I  am doing 20 vertical sit-ups with the 4# medicine ball and still running 2 miles in about 17 – 18 minutes. Each session at the gym totals out to be about 1100 calories or more burned and I’m going 4 times a week. Now starting in March my hours change so I’m not quite sure how often I’ll get there but since it’ll be nicer out and dark later maybe I can get some walking/jogging in on my road.

I have been working on a few new recipes also. Biz has some super cool recipes I’ve been working with and she posted a bread recipe that has just 4 ingredients. Flour (any kind you want to use), yeast, salt and water. It tastes fantastic and each slice is 62 calories. It’s easy to make, tastes great and I can make my toast, sandwiches and more with less calories. Here’s what it looks like.

Mix up, let rise 2 hours.

Split into two loaves, let rest 45 minutes

  

Bake at 425 for 20 minutes in an oven that has a small pan of water for steam and there you have it.

I used garlic and herb seasoning on the top to give it a bit of extra flavor. It’s really good.

So I’m working on this challenge, I’m doing my best and we’ll just see what happens. I was talking to the gal at the gym today. Told her about the almost 6” lost this month but not as much weight as I wanted. She said isn’t the inches better to lose then the weight? Well yes it is but I’d love to see the scale move too. Asking to much, Nah, just hoping.

Take care my friends, keep up the great work on your life style journey’s and just think of the hot body’s you’ll have come this summer. No matter your size, it’ll be less then last summer and that makes you all hotties in my book.

Have a blessed and awesome afternoon. Mike gets off early today so I get him all to myself. No daycare kids, no parents, and even Jim has to work until 5:00 so that means 2 1/2 hours of just relaxing and listening to his ideas, thoughts and plans. Can’t get any better then that.

Weekly weigh in…and…

Well I knew the scale wasn’t going to move this week, it’s just not happening during that TOM for me but you know something else, it didn’t gain the 3 lbs either so just maybe next weeks weigh will have those 3 lbs gone and maybe another one or two. I’ll try, try as hard as I can and just wait and see.

I did something different today during my work out. I rode the bike 3 different times for 20 minutes each time riding 5 miles each time and my feet didn’t go to sleep. My butt was sore by the last round but it wasn’t numb either. So for now I guess that’s what I’ll do, just break up the rides. Got something else to show you too. Check this out…

2 miles in 17 minutes. I ran at 5 mph the full time except for 100 meters at 6 mph. I can do this, and this was after riding the bike for 15 miles and do all the weight circuit. Oh to be honest I did have to slow to 3 mph to take a couple of drinks since I am not graceful enough to try to run and drink.

Now another good thing, I did my measurements for the month and lost 5 3/4 more inches of fat. 1 off my upper arms, 3/4 off my lower arms, 1 from my bust, 1 from my waist, 1 from my hips and 1 from my thighs. That totals out to 53” of fat off this body of mine.

So it’s onwards and upwards or really downwards on the scale and measuring tape. Only 64 more days until my anniversary and my wedding dress.

Take care my friends and I hope the scale is friendly to you but remember what Allan says, stick to the plan, drink the water and some weeks the scale is nice, other times not so much but it will move just stick to the plan.

God bless you all!!

Mini Triathlon…

Well the swimming is completed, the walk/running is completed all that’s left is the bike. I HATE THE BIKE!!! It hurts, my feet go to sleep, my butt goes to sleep, my knee hurts…I just plain hate the bike. I have tried both types of bikes, the one like a normal bike and the one you get to lean back on, both are horrible. Oh I know I’m just complaining but I can’t help it, I HATE THE BIKE!!! But I’ll keep going, 60 miles left. I am going to try doing two 20 minute intervals instead of one 35 minute one. Maybe it’ll be better. I’ll break it up a little and see.

Food has been on track this week, well really close…exercise days I have to have just a tad more first thing in the morning but I work that off plus more. Today’s work out was 452 miles burned on the run, 278 on the bike and 326 on the weight circuit. I got at the gym at 7:30 and left at 9:45. You know, 4 months ago I would of never thought I would ever spend that much time at a gym. When I joined I figured an hour here or there would be plenty and at the time it was but now, I look at the next machine, the next machine and so on and think I had better get that one done today too, or and that one too. I am not entirely sure if I’ll quit for the summer or not. I really was planning on it cuz I don’t think there’s enough time in my week to be putting in the time I am right now but even if I go a couple times a week and get a good work out and then do my walking here when I’m done for the evening. I’ll have to think about it and see. I’m not under contract so can leave at any time but do I want too? Right now, nope!!

I have a question to pose for all of you. If you are a bike rider do your feet go to sleep (I’m talking the bike at the gym, not the real get out and go ones)? Mine do and so does the butt. Any suggestions? I rearrange my feet and butt all the time but still after 35 minutes on it my feet are tingling and my butt is numb. Maybe just cutting the ride into two different times will help. I’m hoping so.

That’s it, that’s my update for today. I snuck a peek at the scale…not a good thing right now with my TOM here, hopefully it’ll share some good news on Sunday morning. I’ve been on my weight loss journey for 14 months now, I’ve lost 48 lbs. I’m happy with my results. I do wish I could be like some and lose it all in a years time and then learn the maintenance part but I’m proud of where I am. About 3.5 lbs a month in the 14 months, it’s good. IT’S GREAT!!

Take care my friends and have a truly awesome afternoon and God Bless you all!!

no Zumba class…

I got my schedule for March and I work all but 4 of the Zumba classes so I’m going to have to for-go going this time. I do hope they offer it again. Gotta work, gotta get paid and that’s the way the cookie crumbles but I’m not particularly happy but at least I didn’t sign up already expecting to go.

I guess I just might have to get that Zumba for the Wii and see how that is. I haven’t been able to rent it to give it a try so other then reading reviews and listening to Pam and her family, who  by the way love it, I don’t have a clue but hey I’m game. Anything to have a bit of fun and I love music.

I feel somewhat better now. Moving from bed to the toilet was an interesting feat this morning but once I really got moving it was better. I’m just going to go swimming again tonight, I’ll finish up my lap part of the triathlon and see what Thursday brings (I have late daycare tomorrow night so won’t be going anywhere’s). My daddy said he’d go swimming with me tonight so I’ll do my laps and then daddy and I can play basketball in the water.

So there you have it guys, I’m sad…will live. I’m not broke…just feel like it. Life goes on…THANK GOD!!!

Take care and have a blessed day.

Cinnamon and Honey… Did ya know this?

My mama sent this to me a couple of weeks ago and it’s been sitting in my mailbox for a bit and I am afraid I’m going to lose it so I’m going to share it with you so you can see what good stuff this is and also so I have it, never to be lost.

So did you know…

That honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot? What it will do is what some call “turn into sugar”. In reality, honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long it it will “crystallize”. When this happens loosen the lid, boil some water and sit the honey container in the hot water, but turn off the heat and let it liquefy naturally. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in the microwave. It will kill the enzymes in the honey.

Facts on Cinnamon and Honey…

Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around.

It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is  sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon, as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast.  It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, when they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily (morning and night) one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL: 
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral
attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old..

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: 
When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping
and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may
eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month . 

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in
the  morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were
kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it.

Hope this helps at least a little bit on something. It’s got some really good points and really who doesn’t like cinnamon and sugar (or honey).

Take care my friends and God Bless!!

OUCH!!!

Ice, ice everywhere. The snow is melting making water on the snow which melts into ice. Ice every step you take and the ones you miss, OUCH!!

I fell out of the car today. Bruised my head, shoulder and ribs. Then while putting the car seat in one of my parents truck I slipped and fell on my butt. I hurt! Not just a little bit either. I went to the gym tonight but not to work out, I couldn’t walk/jog/bike/lift any weights, heck I can barely move but…yep there’s a but…I can swim. Just the back stroke but it felt good. The water was chilly so it soothed the ouches and I was able to do 20 laps. Only 8 more left in my mini triathlon.

So I’m going to head to bed and pray to God when I get up in the morning I can move. Right now all I do is winch if I move or breath.

I hope that you had an interesting, accident free day cuz really this wasn’t the greatest day possible.

Take care my friends, sleep well and may tomorrow hold more blessings then you can count.

Candle light skiing…

Here’s where we went.

We didn’t do the full loop but a bit over a mile and a half was just fine. We thought about doing the full 3 miles but there were people everywhere. Each time you came to a hill you had to wait your turn to either go up or down and since I spent lots of time on the ground this time, it just wasn’t as exciting. The trail was so mutilated from the warm weather and all the skiers that I did terrible staying on track. I do however love moonlight skiing. Notice that we went 12 mph at one time. I think that was one of the down hills I stayed up for. Here’s some pictures of what it sorta looks like. Night pictures aren’t the best but you get the idea.

 

When we made it to the Interpretive Center they had cookies, apple juice and live music.

We had a great time and next week there is another moonlight skiing at Father Hennepin but we won’t be able to make it there, we have a Venture get together to start planning our BWCA trip in August.

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So between cross country skiing twice and exercising tons this past week and following Allan’s Challenge food plan I lost 2 lbs. I’m sitting on 183.2 lbs. Not to far into the 170’s, a place I haven’t been since about a year after I got married in 1980. Cool, so COOL!!! Next week is the dreaded TOTM so we’ll see what the scale does but I’m not going to worry I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and there’s lots and lots of weigh in’s coming up and I know that one day I’ll reach my goal and it won’t be that far in the future either.

So now it’s onward and upwards to the new week. I wish you all well on your life style journey’s. Challenges, road work, blockages and more but you’re strong, your capable, everything is possible you just got to believe in yourself and when you think you can’t do it, there are so many on this journey with you, they have your back, they are there to give you a boost, a push along, a shoulder to lean on and I am here for you too.

Take care my friends, God bless you all!!

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Oh one more thing…..

Look what I found at our local thrift store. Now I can take the kids biking and not worry about them getting squished like bugs. It was only $19.97.

Emotional week…

Ups and downs, both in food, scale and moods. It’s time for the weather to change and then I think things will be better too.

I still haven’t decided about the Zumba yet only because I have to wait to see what my daycare calendar looks like (I work 12 hours a day but sometimes it starts at 5 am and other times 8 am) but if I can get to 80% of the classes I’ll go for it. I really want to try it and if I spend the money I know I’ll go.

I’m off early tonight so can go and work out and since I have some frustrations that need to come out I’m going to work hard. I read today on a biking blog that in an hours time she rode over 20 miles. We are limited on time at the gym when it’s busy so I get in about 35 minutes and I go 6.5-7.5 miles and I thought that was pretty good cuz I’m trucking right along but I guess that’s not great. I did just start riding so I’m betting like walking to jogging to running it just gets better. Last May I couldn’t jog one telephone pole to the next and now I can run at 5 mph for 20-25 minutes so that just means biking will get easier too. Maybe the swimming will too. I have gone from 10 laps in 30 minutes to 14 laps in 35 minutes. Still 28 days to finish up my mini triathlon but only about 15 days to work out. I can do it. I’m trying to get in a least 4 times a week and so far so good.

Saturday is Moonlight skiing at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park and it’s suppose to be in the 20’s so it’ll be so nice to go and enjoy. Mike and I did spend the money this year for ski passes and have used them lots so it has paid off.

So there’s my plan, idea and rest of the week/weekend. I’ll be back next week with my weight and some pictures of our skiing and anything else I can think of.

Be good, follow the plan, talk to Allan if you have questions or concerns and drink your water. Take care everyone, blessings to you all!!

ZUMBA

Please help me, my health club is going to be offering Zumba March 1-31st from 5:30-6:45 Tuesdays and Thursdays, the  cost will be $30.00. What I need to know is it worth it? Is it really as fun as I’ve read or would it be just as entertaining and good for me if I spent that $30.00 on the Zumba for my wii that comes with the belt that holds the remote? I know I can’t afford to do both so can you please help me figure this out, please?!

Day 3 of Allan’s challenge. I love getting the e-mails from you all telling about your day, asking for opinions, just sharing. Thank you so much. I have worked out Monday and Tuesday at the gym, did the exercises with the challenge and today I’m not going to do anything but take a walk. My body is tired. So far this week I have jogged/ran 10 miles, biked 15 miles, swam 26 laps and did the weigh circuit. Time to rest the muscles a little so I can head out tomorrow am and start again. I did step on the scale this morning and it isn’t budging, not a lick. Retaining some water? Getting close to that TOM? Not pooping enough? Don’t know but I have noticed since being with Allan that for 2 weeks of the month the scale sticks and for 2 weeks of the month it moves. It’s only Wednesday so we’ll see.

It’s only -15 this morning and little wind, I can handle that. AND…they say next week it’s going to warm up into the 30’s, I sure can take that. I am so tired of doing chores in the cold, having frozen water all the time, carrying the wood and keeping the fire going. Oh it’s not like it’s terrible hard, just terrible yucky this time of year.

Well I’m off, kids are due shortly. Take care my friends and keep up the great work. A life style change isn’t easy but it’s worth it. May 2011 be the year that you become the healthiest you possible. God bless you all!!!

Oh my legs….

I hurt, from head to toe but mostly my legs. From skiing to my work out today. Oh a bit much but 1000 calories burned today. I jogged/ran 3 full miles in 33:11 minutes, rode 7.5 miles on the bike in 34:28 minutes, did the weight circuit and then swam 12 laps in 40 minutes. I was at the gym from 7:15 to 10:00. Tomorrow I can go again after work since I’m done by 4:30. To do it all over again. I did take an extra walk this afternoon to go with Phase 5, went to the creek and back about 1/3 of a mile. A bit of extra stretching since I am so sore.

Tomorrows a new day, some pretty tasty meals coming especially with the baked potato, I love tators.

I hope all is well with everyone. Hope those on day 1 of the challenge did well. For those just changing their life styles, you go people. May this year be the year that this great world of ours is becoming more healthy then it’s ever been.

Take care and God Bless!!!

P.S. Gonna go try some sports cream. I can’t take pain relievers so gotta do something about these muscles. OUCH!!!

YES!!!!

A bad picture but still, 184.8…So 185 for the 1st day of Allan's Phase 5. I can handle that.

Today I went shopping, getting ready for all the goodness we need to eat. Here’s just a portion of what I got.

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Mike pulled me behind the sled again today. Boy after skiing yesterday and the muscle used to stay upright this afternoon my legs are sure tired.

 

Wilbur came with us today too. Though the snow was so hard for him to run after us so he hitched a ride back to the house.

This is what it looks like when I’m up…

 

Down but I can now get up on my own, without any help.

My boy, my playmate, my protector, my friend.

Hey a NSV today, the jacket I’m wearing, it’s Mike. Last year I couldn’t of even begun to zip or snap it up.

A portion of our 180 acres.

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Tomorrow I’ll head to the gym and do all three of the triathlon parts. I’m hoping to get 3 miles on the treadmill at a jog/run, 7 miles on the bike and at least 10 laps. Both Mike and I are off tomorrow, Mike got his tax refund so heading to Best Buy to see if he can get a flat screen TV.

In-between my exercise plan I will be incorporating Allan’s also. I also have a new disc from a daycare mama called T-Tap. Suppose to be good for the core muscles and tummy. I said that February was going to be the month to move my butt (and the rest of me too) so am going to give it all my best.

I hope you all the best of luck on your life style change journey’s. It’s not easy, not one little bit, but in the end oh so worth it all.

Take care my friends and have a blessed week.

Cross Country skiing…and Phase 5…

Today the boy scouts, venture crew and us went skiing. It was a great day. The weather was weird though. It’s been warm the past couple of day, in the mid to high 20’s so there has been lots and lots of fog that makes frost on the trees. Here’s a couple of pictures showing the frost.

We also found a porcupines den near the trail. Didn’t see the porcupine but did see lots of his lunches.

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Allan's Phase 5 starts Monday.... and there is an amazing grand prize for the person that losses the most of themselves. 46 people are in the running and even though there is just one grand prize to be won the best prize will be for ourselves, getting fit, healthy and able to love ourselves again.  Tomorrow is weigh in day. I was 185 last week, I haven’t stepped on the scale all week because part way through the week things had changed and for a bit there wasn’t going to be a challenge and that meant I sorta went off plan. I didn’t over eat I just didn’t eat the most healthy stuff.  So we’ll just see. It’s a new week and new phase.

Take care my friends and have a most blessed Sunday.

Working hard…

Well today was another work out morning at 5:30 am. Got there and I have never seen that many people at the gym at the time of the morning. I think there was at least 20 people in there. Most were gone by 6:30 but still I was surprised and just a bit embarrassed to go. I shouldn’t, for one I’ve been there a couple of months and just go and do my thing and for another thing I’m not that round any more so I shouldn’t feel so self conscious but I do and am. Oh well, I just turn my music up a bit more and ignore everyone and just do.

Today I walk/ran 3.07 miles in 38:06 and burned 462 calories. Then I rode the bike for 30 minutes and went 6.5 miles and burned 192 calories. Since I had about 15 more minutes before I left I did 100 adnominal press with 100 lbs and 40 chest pulls with 40 lbs and 15 vertical crunches with the 4 lbs medicine ball. Then I was late and had to nearly run out of there. I burned a total of 818 calories. Now that I can handle. I think I have found the magic food combination for me for my work outs, I drink 8 oz of fat free chocolate milk with a scoop of chocolate whey and a banana. It’s 350 calories so a little high but my blood sugar doesn’t drop and I feel really good when done.

Last night I only had an hour (I thought…I thought the gym closed at 7:00, yeah on the weekend not week days, it’s 9:00 then) to work out so went swimming instead. I started my laps. I did 10 laps in 30 minutes. I am sure it’s the slowest record around but I’m not a fast swimmer and really not a good one at that so did most of them back stroke but a couple side stroke and one breast stroke. Maybe by time I get all 90 done I can do it faster but if not, well I’m not going to worry about it as long as they are done.

I am saving my calories today for pork chops in gravy with mash potatoes, corn and if I get a chance to bake a slice of fresh bread. I have figured out the calories already and dinner will come in at 726 calories. I will still be able to have a decent salad for lunch so not a hungry day at all and something super to look forward to for supper. A small break from Allan's challenge. 

So there you have it folks, nothing super and I’m sure pretty boring to read really but I need this for me too. To see in the future what I did to get to where I want to be, to remember how hard I worked to get there and not to ever have to do it again other then to maintain.

I thought I’d share something with you today. Here is what 185lbs look like on me.

 

Getting there. Especially from here…

 

I really can’t wait for short weather again and this year a tank top without having to always cover up. Maybe even being able to tuck in a shirt and not look like a snowman.

Take care my friends and good luck on your life style journey’s. It’s an exciting adventure with lots of highs and lows but really oh so worth all of them.

God Bless you all, have a blessed day today.

Winter Melt Down…

Well I did it, I signed up for the melt down and the triathlon. I was at the Hallett at 5:30am signing up and getting ready to get to work. For the first time ever I ran at a 4.9 for 2 full miles. 2 miles….wow am I impressed. It took me 25.01 minutes to go 2.27 (had to warm up and cool down a tiny bit) then I jumped on that bike (not my favorite piece of equipment) and rode 6.5 miles in 30 minutes. By 7:00 when I had to head home I had worked off 636 calories of which I had eaten a banana and a protein drink so not bad at all.

So that is day one. A good start, I am hoping I can keep this up plus I still want to sneak in my weigh training too. If I can figure out how, I’d like to put a gadget on my side bar showing my progress on the triathlon. For you guys to see but mostly for me to know each day just what’s left to do.

So now it’s onward and upwards. It’s cold here, –20* with the wind-chill and suppose to get colder as the day goes on. Some are getting snow, others sleet, we get cold. It has not been the nicest winter this year.

Take care my friends and have a blessed day. 

This is the picture on my way home…had to share a beautiful sunrise…